title: Evolution of fat crystal network microstructure followed by NMR.
abstract: Model systems composed of tristearin in solid state and tricaprin in liquid state with different solid-fat content (SFC) and storage time have been investigated by relaxation NMR and NMR diffusometry. The T(2) relaxation of the tricaprin in the melt exhibited a bimodal distribution as previously observed. The SFC had a major effect on the T(2) relaxation. This effect was explained according to the fast diffusive exchange model in porous media. According to this model the changes in T(2) relaxation as a function of the SFC and storage time were explained by the decrease of the surface-to-volume ratio of the crystal induced by Ostwald ripening. The diffusion coefficient D of the tricaprin in the melt decreased for higher SFC. Since no significant variation of D was observed for different diffusion time, D reflected the long-range connectivity and the tortuosity was calculated. During storage the diffusion coefficient remained constant.
authors.affiliation: Cemagref, UR TERE, 17 Avenue de Cucillé, CS 64427, F-35044 Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adam-Berret
authors.forename: Marine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boulard
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riaublanc
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mariette
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004058:Diffusion; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D012996:Solutions; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D012996:Solutions; D014280:Triglycerides; C010800:tricaprin; C022618:tristearin