Fat crystal migration and aggregation and polymorphism evolution during the formation of granular crystals in beef...

Six rectangular block all beef tallow (BT)-based and all palm oil (PO)-based model shortenings prepared on a laboratory scale, denoted BTMS and POMS, respectively, were stored under two storage conditions, (1) constant temperatures (5 and 20 °C, respectively and (2) temperature fluctuations (5 °C for 12 h and 20 °C for 12 h for a cycle), to induce granular crystals. The fat crystal migration and aggregation, sensory evaluations, and polymorphism evolutions during the formation of granular crystals in the above samples were investigated systematically. In comparison to the constant temperature storage, the crystal growth and hierarchical aggregation process were more quick and the conversion rate of the β-form crystal was also faster in both BTMS and POMS under temperature cycling storage and, concomitantly, easier to induce the formation of granular crystals. From the comprehensive analysis of crystal sizes and the sensory evaluation results, it can be concluded that the detection threshold for graininess ranged from 40 to 90 μm, with the smaller size being perceived only at higher crystal concentrations. The possible formation mechanism and the realistic control approaches for granular crystals in plastic fats also are clarified in the present study.