A multi-methodological approach (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and polarized
light microscopy (PLM)) was used to study the influence of monopalmitin (MP) on the isothermal
crystallization process of palm oil (PO). MP was added in different concentrations up to 8% and the isothermal
crystallization temperature was varied between 15 and 28 °C. From the DSC results, it was clear that the
addition of MP leads to an earlier onset of crystallization along with the appearance of extra crystallization
peaks. Combined with the results of the XRD measurements, a crystallization mechanism could be deduced.
It was suggested that the high-melting MP initiated the crystallization process and induced a fractional crystallization
of the PO triacylglycerols (TAGs), leading to a concentration of similar TAGs around MP cores. The
PLM results indicated a coarser crystal structure through addition of MP to PO.