Polymorphic phase transitions in triglycerides and their mixtures studied by SAXS/WAXS techniques: In bulk and in...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physical Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Triacylglycerols (TAGs) display monotropic polymorphism (α, β', β forms) with distinct physicochemical properties.
• TAG polymorphs influence food and cosmetic product attributes and are crucial for pharmaceutical applications like solid lipid nanoparticles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline current understanding of TAG phase behavior in bulk and emulsified systems.
• To explore factors influencing TAG polymorphism and its application in nanoparticle formation.

Main Methods:

• Investigations focused on monoacid TAGs, their mixtures, and natural TAG oils.
• Utilized X-ray scattering techniques to study TAG phase behavior.
• Analyzed the impact of structural defects and diverse approaches on polymorphic transformations.

Main Results:

• Structural defects in TAGs accelerate the α → β polymorphic transformation rate.
• Methods to influence transformation include incorporating foreign molecules/particles, reducing drop size, and using specific surfactants.
• TAG polymorphism enables the creation of 20 nm nanoparticles from coarse emulsions without mechanical energy.

Conclusions:

• Understanding TAG polymorphism is key to controlling its phase behavior in various systems.
• This knowledge facilitates the comprehension and control of novel processes, such as energy-free nanoparticle formation.
• Applications span food, cosmetics, and advanced pharmaceutical drug delivery systems.