Solid-Liquid Equilibria Modelling for triacylglycerols exhibiting multiple solid phases

Important end-use properties of vegetable oils based edible products are strong related to the equilibrium between a solid crystalline network and a liquid phase. This work presents the available literature development of solid-liquid equilibrium in triacylglycerol systems and highlights how it can be coupled with a Computer-Aided Mixture and Blend Design framework, for design new mixtures/blends with improved properties allowing a better use of renewable resources as vegetable oils. Stability tests were implemented as they are an essential step for powerful solid liquid equilibrium resolution and some results were presented for a four component triacylglycerol mixture in different temperatures and composition

Comparison of predicted and experimental DSC curves for vegetable oils

We compare experimental and predicted differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves for palm oil(PO), peanut oil (PeO) and grapeseed oil (GO). The predicted curves are computed from the solid–liquid equilibrium modelling and direct minimization of the Gibbs free energy. For PO, the lower the scan rate, the better the agreement. The temperature transitions of PeO and GO were predicted with an average deviation of −0.72°C and −1.29°C respectively, in relation to experimental data from literature. However, the predicted curves showed other peaks not reported experimentally, as computed DSC curves correspond to equilibrium hypothesis which is reached experimentally for an infinitely small scan rate. The results revealed that predicted transitions temperatures using equilibrium hypotheses can be useful in pre-experimental evaluation of vegetable oils formulations seeking for desired melting profiles

Questionify gamification in education

In the education industry, lecturers are finding ways to improve students’ concentrations and grades by using smart devices to track students’ assignment or tutorial progress. One of the few possible and attractive solution is by using the gamification technique. This paper proposes an educational application called Questionify that implements the gamification elements and allow users to collect points, gain achievements, increase motivation and engagement towards students’ coursework in Software Engineering subject. Questionify is developed using C# and Java language has been evaluated using questionnaire among 24 respondents. The findings showed that the respondents believe that gamification can do better in education as compare to the traditional method of teaching the students. In the future, this gamification approach will be tested on more technical subjects such as programming and networking subjects to help students engage in a different learning approach

Hazards and safety issues associated to the residual solid content in crude edible oil processing

The present work focuses on the hazards connected with edible oil refining during process and maintenance operations. A specific experimental protocol was set up in order to verify the possibility of having fire hazards connected with the unwanted residual solids which might accumulate on the bottom of storage tanks, due to sedimentation, or in process equipment, due to progressive fouling. The analysis of residual solid samples taken from an actual edible oil refinery allowed evaluating the possible formation of flammable mixtures or products during maintenance operations. Specific hazard indexes were defined in order to analyse two case studies which provided indications for the safety enhancement of process and maintenance operations

Molecular Interactions behind the Self-Assembly and Microstructure of Mixed Sterol Organogels

In this work, we have employed docking and atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations supported by complementary experiments using atomic force microscopy, rheology and spectroscopy to investigate the self-assembled structure of β-sitosterol and γ-oryzanol molecules into cylindrical tubules in a non-aqueous solvent. Docking models of several phytosterols, including sitosterol, with oryzanol and other sterol-esters demonstrate that for systems to form tubules, the phytosterol sterane group must be stacked in a wedge shape with the esters sterane group, and a hydrogen bond must form between the hydroxyl group of the phytosterol and the carbonyl group of the ester. Molecular dynamics of the self-assembled structure were initiated with the molecules in a roughly cylindrical configuration, as suggested from previous experimental studies, and the configurations were found to be stable during 50 ns simulations. We performed MD simulations of two tubules in proximity to better understand the aggregation of these fibrils and how the fibrils interact in order to stick together. We found that an interfibril network of non-covalent bonds, in particular van der Waals and π-π contacts, which is formed between the ferulic acid groups of oryzanol through the hydroxyl, methoxy and aromatic groups, is responsible for the surface-to-surface interactions between fibrils; an observation supported by molecular spectroscopy. We believe these interactions are of primary importance in creating a strong organogel network

Low vs high field 1h NMR spectroscopy for the detection of adulteration of cold pressed rapeseed oil with refined oils

Cold pressed rapeseed oil (CPRO) is a relatively recent development in rapeseed processing, which produces a quality product with a high market value. High field NMR (400 MHz) is a well-established tool in food analysis, while low-field NMR (60 MHz) is much less studied. This study aims to establish the effectiveness of both techniques in identifying binary adulteration in CPRO. Three adulteration scenarios were investigated: a) CPRO and refined rapeseed oil (RRO); b) CPRO and refined sunflower oil (RSO); and c) CPRO and RRO or RSO. A range of classification techniques were trialled as well as partial least squares regression to gauge predictive quantification performance. The 400 MHz NMR achieved classification rates of 100% in the scenarios with a single adulterant, and 93% in the multiple adulterant scenario. The 60 MHz NMR produced lower but still encouraging classification rates (RSO 92%; RRO 85%; both RRO and RSO 87%)

Oil Mobility in Hazelnut Oil-Based Oleogels Investigated by NMR

The migration of triacyl glycerides such as hazelnut oil leads to quality losses in various foods (e.g., fat bloom formation on chocolate, also named “fat ripening”). Oleogelation, i.e., dispersion of oils in a solid matrix of gelators, is thought to immobilize oils and consequently to hinder oil migration, leading to questions about the translational, but also intramolecular mobility of triacyl glycerides in the oleogels. In addition to translational mobility measured by diffusion-NMR, the molecule-intrinsic dynamics is reflected in NMR-relaxation. In this study, transverse relaxation and diffusion were explored to obtain insight into the condition of the oils in the disperse materials. Oleogels based on sunflower seed wax are compared to oleogels based on mono- and diglycerides. In both types of oleogels NMR-measures depend on composition as well as on temperature. Studying both dimensions, concentration and temperature, reveals the restricted mobility of oil molecules in the oleogels

Measuring sensory and marketing influences on consumers' choices among food and beverage product brands

Advance in food science depends on measuring the factors in human perception that influence eaters' activities with branded products. Assessed samples must include at least two levels of a sensed material characteristic (e.g. sucrose) or conceptual marketing attribute (e.g. “low fat”), minimally confounded by other features. Each feature needs to be measured for its effect on the individual's objective achievement of choosing among the samples for a familiar context of use. These influences interact, consciously and unconsciously. This theory of how a mind works has generated a wide range of scientifically illuminating and commercially practical examples, illustrated in this review