Lipase-mediated interesterification of oils and fats for the preparation of bakery and confectionery fats

Abstract Bakery and confectionary fats were prepared by enzymatic interesterification of sal fat with palm stearin and palm mid fraction blends in various ratios. Slip melting point, free fatty acids, fatty acid composition, solid fat content and triglyceride composition were determined. Fatty acid composition revealed that the blends were rich in palmitic (13.9-58.5%), stearic (7.7-36.7%) and oleic (25.2-39.9%) with no trans fatty acids. Blends of sal:PSt (50:50), sal:PMF (50:50 and 25:75) showed high solid fat content at 20 and 25 °C with short melting range. After interesterification, plasticity of products increased, which were comparable with commercial bakery fat. Some of the blends alone showed short melting profile like cocoa butter. Interesterification produced significant alteration in the triacylglycerol composition of the blends studied. Blends and the interesterified products prepared showed favorable characteristics with no transfats and hence could be used in the place of commercial bakery and confectionary fats.