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One of the main trends in the development of lipid micro and nanoparticles is the use of edible oils and fats to replace synthetic matrices, which are not viable for application by the food industr...

The lipid phase of infant formulas is generally composed of plant-based lipids structured with a high concentration of palmitic acid (C16:0) esterified at the sn-2 position of triacylglycerol since this structure favors the absorption and metabolism of fatty acids. Palm oil is commonly used to make up the lipid phase of infant formulas due to its high concentration of palmitic acid and solids profile and melting point similar to human milk fat. However, the addition of palm oil to infant formulas has been associated with the presence of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters, a group of glycerol-derived chemical contaminants (1,2,3-propanotriol), potentially toxic, formed during the refining process of vegetable oil. Bovine milk fat obtained from the complex biosynthesis in the mammary gland has potential as a technological alternative to replace palm oil and its fractions for the production of structured lipids to be used in infant formulas. Its application as a substitute is due to its composition and structure, which resembles breast milk fat, and essentially to the preferential distribution pattern of palmitic acids (C16:0) with approximately 85% distributed at the sn-1 and sn-2 position of triacylglycerol. This review will address the relationship between the chemical composition and structure of lipids in infant nutrition, as well as the potential of bovine milk fat as a basis for the production of structured lipids in substitution for the lipid phase of vegetable origin currently used in infant formulas.

Droplet size, polydispersity, physical and polymorphic stability of milk fat nanoemulsions produced by hot high-pressure homogenization and stabilized by whey protein isolate (WPI pH 4.0 or 7.0) or sodium caseinate (NaCas pH 7.0) were evaluated for 60 days of storage at 25 °C. Smaller droplets were observed for the NaCas pH 7.0 nanoemulsion, which also showed a lower polydispersity index, resulting in a stable emulsified system for 60 days. On the other hand, the nanoemulsion with bigger droplet size (WPI pH 4.0) showed reduced stability, probably due to the pH near the isoelectric point of the whey proteins. The nanostructured milk fat exhibited the same melting behavior as the bulk milk fat, with a balance between liquid and crystallized fat, and crystals in polymorphic form β′. This could be an advantage concerning the application of the system for delivery of bioactive compounds and improvement of the sensory properties of fat-based food. In summary, nanoemulsions stabilized by NaCas (pH 7.0) showed higher kinetic stability over the storage time, which from a technological application point of view is a very important factor in the food industry. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s13197-020-04362-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Although butter is valued for its characteristic flavor and aroma, it has the disadvantage of unsatisfactory spreadability at low temperatures. To increase the butter functionality, modifications have been proposed by associating the physical and nutritional characteristics. In this study, lipid bases composed of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) were used in butter formulations, and the physicochemical characteristics and the physical properties were evaluated. Lipid bases made from AMF:HOSO blends at 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 (% w/w) were emulsified in skimmed milk, and added to milk cream (35% fat) prior to the beating step. The control butter (cream with 35% fat) and spreads were stored for 30 days at 5 °C and evaluated for the physicochemical properties, fatty acids composition, solid fat content, melting point, crystallization parameters, thermal stability, hardness, melting behavior, and polymorphism. The increase in HOSO content significantly reduced hardness of the spreads, which increased during storage for all formulations. A preference for crystallization in the polymorphic habit β’ was observed for both butter and spreads during 30 days of refrigerated storage. However, there was a tendency for crystal formation in the β form, which suggests the formation of unstable crystals during processing and storage of the products. The modification of functionality allowed obtaining softer structured milk fat products with increased concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, without the use of chemical modifications of oils and fats.

Lipid nanoparticles (LN) using dairy ingredients were developed to evaluate the effect of the unsaturation degree of lipid matrix and the type of emulsifier on the physical properties, and on the kinetic stability of nanosystems over 90 days of storage. The lipid bases used were fully hydrogenated anhydrous milk fat (FHAMF); blends of FHAMF with anhydrous milk fat; and blends of FHAMF with high oleic sunflower oil. The LN were subjected to high pressure hot homogenisation. The systems with the smallest diameter were NL, whose lipid phase is composed only of FHAMF. The increased unsaturation degree of the lipid phases incorporated in the LN promoted a significant increase in particle size. The lipid nanoparticle dispersions stabilised with caseinate showed greater stability at all times evaluated. In this study, it was possible to obtain LN produced exclusively with dairy ingredients.

The potential of modified anhydrous milk fat as an encapsulating material for Lactobacillus acidophilus LA3 was evaluated. An emulsion containing L. acidophilus and lecithin was prepared and atomised in a spray cooling chamber. Viable cells were enumerated and the microparticles were stabilised at 5 °C for 24 h, then characterised and stored at −18, 5 and 25 °C for 60 days. The manufacturing process did not affect cell viability. Encapsulated L. acidophilus showed high viability after 60 days of storage. The lower the temperature, the lower the liquid fat content, resulting in microparticles with the appearance of a dry, fine and dispersed powder. In contrast, the microparticles stored at 25 °C had a granular appearance and little dispersion due to higher liquid fat content. The physical stability of microparticles and their ability to maintain the viability of microorganisms suggest their effective use in different food matrixes.

The global legislation regarding the elimination of trans fat in foods has led to the need for technological solutions to produce plastic fats. Currently, the industrial method used to obtain lipid bases with different physical properties is the chemical interesterification of blends from hardfats and vegetable oils. Milk fat can be an alternative to this process, which is natural plastic fat, as a structurant to obtain plastic lipid bases containing vegetable oils. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the anhydrous milk fat (AMF) to structure lipid bases made from AMF and high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) (~80% oleic acid) blends. The blends were prepared in the following AMF:HOSO proportions (% w/w): 100:00 (control); 90:10; 80:20; 70:30; 60:40; and 50:50, and characterized for fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition, solid fat content, compatibility, melting point, thermal behavior of crystallization and melting, crystallization kinetics, microstructure, polymorphism and hardness. All blends showed compatibility between the constituents, which is fundamental for the stability of plastic fats. The anhydrous milk fat governed the crystallization of these lipid bases, presenting crystals of30 μm of diameter, crystallized in polymorphic form β'. The blends 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 AMF:HOSO exhibited suitable profile for technological applications in the food industry, characterized by a solid fat content lower than 32% at 10 °C, and higher than 10% at 21 °C, and melting point near the body temperature.

Lipid microparticles (LMP) made with anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSBO) may provide crystallization and control the polymorphic stability of lipid matrices. The present study investigated the production of LMP and their stability during 120 days of storage at 5, 10, and 25 °C. LMP were produced using lipid blends 90:10 and 80:20 (AMF:FHSBO % w/w) sprayed in a double fluid atomizer at 1 bar, in a chilled chamber (1 ± 1 °C), and analyzed once a week for particle size, morphology, melting behavior, and polymorphic habit. LMP presented a spherical shape and a volumetric diameter of 10 μm. Both LMP presented melting behavior within a wide temperature range. The polymorphic habit was affected by the lipid base and the storage temperature. LMP stored at 25 °C tended to exhibit a more stable polymorphic form. An increase in FHSBO concentration led to an increase in stability, exhibiting the β form, with no polymorphic changes after 14 or 21 days, remaining stable up to 120 days, for all microparticles. Our results suggested the potential of LMP for several technological applications such as crystallization inducer, structuring agent, and as wall material, due to their thermal and polymorphic stability.

Baru is a native specie from the Brazilian “cerrado” with interesting nutritional and sensory characteristics. The aim of our study was to characterize baru nut flour (BF) and to explore the possibility of producing reduced-fat baru cupcakes. Four different cupcake formulations were produced wheat flour (WF) containing 30% BF with reductions of 50 (F1), 75 (F2) and 100% (F3) margarine, compared to a control with 100% WF and 100% margarine (FC). BF showed 2.76% moisture, 19.2% proteins, 40.8% lipids, 3.05% ash and 18.51% dietary fiber. The substitution of wheat flour with 30% BF increased the mixing tolerance index and resistance to extension in the rheological analyses; however, these changes did not greatly influence cupcake quality. Firmness was the parameter most affected during shelf life, with statistically significant differences between the formulations. The cupcakes prepared with the blend of 70% WF + 30% BF and with fat reductions (F2 and F3) can be considered “light”, with the reduction of more than 30% margarine and a significant reduction of trans fatty acids. In the sensory analysis, formulation F2 obtained good acceptance scores.

The objective of this work was to produce solid lipid microparticles using fully hydrogenated anhydrous milk fat (FHAMF) and to evaluate their physical stability during 90 days of storage at different temperatures. To obtain the lipid microparticles, the FHAMF was sprayed in a double fluid atomizer at 1 bar pressure, in a chilled chamber (2 °C). After atomization, the microparticles were divided into three batches and stored for 90 days at three different temperatures (5, 15 and 25 °C). During storage, samples were periodically removed (7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days) for evaluation of particle size, melting behavior, morphology, and polymorphic habit. The microparticles presented spherical shaped, with a smooth surface and wide size variation. When stored at 5 °C, the microparticles showed the smaller size and smaller agglomeration, due to the lower liquid fat content in the system, which that makes it difficult the adhesion of one particle to another. The lipid microparticles presented β′ crystals immediately after processing and at all temperatures during the storage. This study demonstrated the potential of FHAMF as an appropriate lipid phase for the production of lipid microparticles, and may contribute to further studies on the delivery of active compounds.

As an alternative to the strategies currently used to deliver unsaturated fatty acids, especially, the essentials omega-6 and 3- fatty acids, the aim of this work was to investigate the effect of the incorporation of 25 e 50% (w/w) of olive, corn and linseed oil into the crystal structure of anhydrous milk fat (AMF). Fatty acid composition, atherogenicity (AI), and thrombogenicity (TI) index, crystallization kinetics, polymorphism by Rietveld method (RM), microstructure, thermal behavior, solid fat content, and lipid compatibility was evaluated. The addition of vegetable oils reduced the saturated fatty acids, and the AI and TI indices of AMF, and increased the concentration of unsaturated, specifically omega-6 and -3 fatty acids. Although vegetable oils caused changes in nucleation and crystallization kinetics, the spherulitic and crystalline morphology and the β' polymorphism of AMF were maintained. The study demonstrated the possibility of using the crystal structure of AMF as a vehicle for unsaturated fatty acids in food formulations, as an alternative to nutritional supplementation. In addition, studies on the use of RM in blends made with AMF and vegetable oil have not been found in literature, thus demonstrating the relevance of the present study.

Agradecimentos: This study was financed in part by The Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. The authors thank the CAPES and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - Brasil (CNPq) for granting the scholarship Abstract: Food production and consumption patterns have changed dramatically in recent decades. The universe of oils and fats, in particular, has been changed due to the negative impacts of trans fatty acids produced industrially through the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils. Regulations prohibiting its use have led the industry to produce semisolid lipid systems using chemical methods for modification of oils and fats, with limitations from a technological point of view and a lack of knowledge about the metabolization of the modified fats in the body. Milk fat is obtained from the complex biosynthesis in the mammary gland and can be a technological alternative for the modulation of the crystallization processes of semi-solids lipid systems, once it is naturally plastic at the usual processing, storage, and consumption temperatures. The natural plasticity of milk fat is due to its heterogeneous chemical composition, which contains more than 400 different fatty acids that structure approximately 64 million triacylglycerols, with a preferred polymorphic habit in ß', besides other physical properties. Therefore, milk fat differs from any lipid raw material found in nature. This review will address the relationship between the chemical behavior and physical properties of semisolid lipids, demonstrating the potential of milk fat as an alternative to the commonly used modification processes COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ Fechado

Butter is highly valued for its characteristic flavor and aroma; however, it has the disadvantage of unsatisfactory spreadability at low temperatures. The functional characteristics of butter can be modified by changing its composition or physical structure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of olein on structure and composition of butter. Olein was obtained by two stage dry fractionation process of the anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and added to commercial cream prior to butter manufacture. The fractions were characterized for triacylglycerols composition, solid fat content, crystallization isotherm, and thermal behavior. Butter was manufactured using commercial cream or cream containing 50% olein. Butter samples were characterized for physicochemical composition, instrumental color, crystallization parameters, and firmness after 1 and 7 days of storage at 10 °C. The firmness of butter subjected to room temperature was also evaluated. Butter containing olein differed significantly from the control and had darker yellow color, higher crystallization time, and lower solid fat content after 120 min at 15 °C, and hence lower firmness after 1 and 7 days of refrigerated storage. Although lower firmness was observed over time for all samples at room temperature, butter containing olein exhibited lower firmness after both 1 and 7 days, thus suggesting changes in organization of solid fat crystal network in the liquid fat. The addition of olein to butter allowed obtaining a softer product, with more intense color and possible nutritional benefits due to the medium chain triglycerides and higher carotene levels.

There is a growing demand for fats that confer structure, control the crystallization behavior, and maintain the polymorphic stability of lipid matrices in foods. In this context, milk fat has the potential to meet this demand due to its unique physicochemical properties. However, its use is limited at temperatures above 34 °C when thermal and mechanical resistance are desired. The addition of vegetable oil hard fats to milk fat can alter its physicochemical properties and increase its technological potential. This study evaluated the chemical composition and the physical properties of lipid bases made with anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSBO) at the proportions of 90:10; 80:20; 70:30; 60:40; and 50:50 (% w/w). The increased in FHSBO concentration resulted in blends with higher melting point, which the addition of 10% of FHSBO increase the melting point in 12 °C of the lipid base. Also, FHSBO contributed for a higher thermal resistance conferred by the coexistence of polymorphs β' and β, which remained stable for 90 days. Co-crystallization was observed for all blends due to the total compatibility of milk fat with the fully hydrogenated soybean oil. The results suggest a potential of all blends for various technological applications, makes milk fat more appropriate to confer structure, and improve the polymorph stability in foods. The blends presenting singular characteristics according to the desired thermal stability, melting point, and polymorphic habit.

Baru is a native specie from the Brazilian “cerrado” with interesting nutritional and sensory characteristics. The aim of our study was to characterize baru nut flour (BF) and to explore the possibility of producing reduced-fat baru cupcakes. Four different cupcake formulations were produced wheat flour (WF) containing 30% BF with reductions of 50 (F1), 75 (F2) and 100% (F3) margarine, compared to a control with 100% WF and 100% margarine (FC). BF showed 2.76% moisture, 19.2% proteins, 40.8% lipids, 3.05% ash and 18.51% dietary fiber. The substitution of wheat flour with 30% BF increased the mixing tolerance index and resistance to extension in the rheological analyses; however, these changes did not greatly influence cupcake quality. Firmness was the parameter most affected during shelf life, with statistically significant differences between the formulations. The cupcakes prepared with the blend of 70% WF + 30% BF and with fat reductions (F2 and F3) can be considered “light”, with the reduction of more than 30% margarine and a significant reduction of trans fatty acids. In the sensory analysis, formulation F2 obtained good acceptance scores.