Optimizing the parameters of the production process of fat systems with a minimum content of trans-isomers

Abstract

Currently, the vast majority of solid fats, which are used as formula components of food products, are produced in Ukraine by partial hydrogenation. This method of fats modification leads to the formation of a significant amount of trans-isomers of fatty acids, which negatively affects the human body. It is known that the increased content of these isomers in the composition of fat products results in an increased risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In particular, the action of high-density lipoproteins is blocked, the deposition of cholesterol plaques on the walls of human blood vessels is initiated, and the development of atherosclerosis is provoked. We suggest resolving this problem by using interesterification of fats under the action of lipases, which has some advantages as compared with traditional technology. For instance, alkaline agents will not be used for catalysis, the reaction products will not be contaminated with catalysts, soaps will not be formed as by-products, the temperature of the process will be almost halved, and the organization of production will be less complicated and cheaper. The purpose of the work was to determine the rational parameters of the interesterification reaction aimed at the synthesis of fat systems with a minimum content of trans-isomers. The research objective was achieved by using the response surface methodology. The kinetics of reaction was studied by pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance. The processing and analysis of experimental data was performed by means of the Statistica 10 package. As a result of investigations, a mathematical model was developed that allows predicting the degree of conversion of starting materials into reaction products based on the data on the conditions of the interesterification process. Rational values of the main parameters for the synthesis of fatty systems with a minimum content of trans-isomers of fatty acids were specified. The obtained results can serve as a scientific basis for the development of technology for the production of fat systems with improved quality and safety characteristics.