Among the different fats studied, anhydrous milk fat (AMF) has generated considerable interest because of its wide use in food products.
However, due to its complex TAG composition, the interactions between AMF and other non TAG-lipids are poorly understood.
Several studies showed that removing minor compounds from AMF changed its kinetics of crystallization.
However, the results are somehow controversial.
Removing polar components of AMF could either enhance or slow down AMF crystallization. Such contradictory results could be due to compositional differences.
More specifically, phospholipids were shown to delay the onset time of AMF isothermal crystallization.
Addition of DAG to AMF slowed down crystallization without modifying the fat microstructure.
In contrast, at 25 C, AMF crystallization was accelerated by diolein and delayed by distearin.
Addition of a blend of MAG and DAG to AMF favored crystallization, that occurred at a higher temperature than in the
absence of these partial glycerides.
Changing the temperature and concentration conditions of mono-olein or mono-stearin reversed their impact on AMF crystallization rate.
Depending on those factors, mono-olein and monostearin
could either accelerate or delay AMF crystallization.