The exchange rate between dissolved tripalmitin and tripalmitin crystals

The focus of this paper is on understanding the exchange between dissolved fats and fat crystals in dispersions by quantifying the rate of the exchange between the fats in solution and in crystals. In the studies reported here, tripalmitin (PPP) was used as model fat. The dispersions contained PPP crystals and dissolved radio-labelled PPP (14C-PPP, used as the probe) in a medium chain triglyceride oil (MCT). The exchange process between the dissolved 14C-PPP and unlabelled PPP crystals was followed using a radio-detector. The effect of the crystal concentration on the exchange rate was studied. The results suggested that the rate of the exchange is dependent upon both the dissolution of the surface of the crystals and also diffusion and crystallisation of the dissolved compounds.