Spontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium-chain triacylglycerols with added medium- and long-chain species

Abstract To utilize medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) with a low smoke point (~150 °C) in water, we investigated formulations and physical conditions for its spontaneous powdery crystallization without excipients. Crystallization of tricaprin and trilaurin mixed with medium- and long-chain triacylg...

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Main Authors: Yutaro Kataoka, Hidetaka Uehara, Kentaro Matsumiya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Science of Food
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00511-x
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author Yutaro Kataoka
Hidetaka Uehara
Kentaro Matsumiya
author_facet Yutaro Kataoka
Hidetaka Uehara
Kentaro Matsumiya
author_sort Yutaro Kataoka
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To utilize medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) with a low smoke point (~150 °C) in water, we investigated formulations and physical conditions for its spontaneous powdery crystallization without excipients. Crystallization of tricaprin and trilaurin mixed with medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCT) at varying ratios and temperatures was observed. Both oils mixed spontaneously crystallized into powder below their solidification temperature, structuring micrometer-ordered stacked plate crystals. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements showed stable β−form polymorphism. Steric effects from the MLCT hindered fat crystal network formation, promoting lamellar structures that easily broke into porous crystals. Thermal energy and the van der Waals forces indicated that the excess carbon chains biased the horizontal development of the lamellar structures. The resulting powder had a finer particle size and increased bulkiness than commercial products. The tricaprin-based powder was wettable, forming a paste with water, while the trilaurin-based powder was not, making the tricaprin-based powder more suitable for food applications.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2396-8370
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spelling doaj-art-537eb8ad37e545359df5a9401e9deded2025-08-20T03:46:12ZengNature Portfolionpj Science of Food2396-83702025-07-01911910.1038/s41538-025-00511-xSpontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium-chain triacylglycerols with added medium- and long-chain speciesYutaro Kataoka0Hidetaka Uehara1Kentaro Matsumiya2Incubation Square (Research Laboratory), The Nisshin OilliO Group Ltd.Incubation Square (Research Laboratory), The Nisshin OilliO Group Ltd.Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto UniversityAbstract To utilize medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) with a low smoke point (~150 °C) in water, we investigated formulations and physical conditions for its spontaneous powdery crystallization without excipients. Crystallization of tricaprin and trilaurin mixed with medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCT) at varying ratios and temperatures was observed. Both oils mixed spontaneously crystallized into powder below their solidification temperature, structuring micrometer-ordered stacked plate crystals. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements showed stable β−form polymorphism. Steric effects from the MLCT hindered fat crystal network formation, promoting lamellar structures that easily broke into porous crystals. Thermal energy and the van der Waals forces indicated that the excess carbon chains biased the horizontal development of the lamellar structures. The resulting powder had a finer particle size and increased bulkiness than commercial products. The tricaprin-based powder was wettable, forming a paste with water, while the trilaurin-based powder was not, making the tricaprin-based powder more suitable for food applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00511-x
spellingShingle Yutaro Kataoka
Hidetaka Uehara
Kentaro Matsumiya
Spontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium-chain triacylglycerols with added medium- and long-chain species
npj Science of Food
title Spontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium-chain triacylglycerols with added medium- and long-chain species
title_full Spontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium-chain triacylglycerols with added medium- and long-chain species
title_fullStr Spontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium-chain triacylglycerols with added medium- and long-chain species
title_full_unstemmed Spontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium-chain triacylglycerols with added medium- and long-chain species
title_short Spontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium-chain triacylglycerols with added medium- and long-chain species
title_sort spontaneous granulation of tricaprin and trilaurin medium chain triacylglycerols with added medium and long chain species
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00511-x
work_keys_str_mv AT yutarokataoka spontaneousgranulationoftricaprinandtrilaurinmediumchaintriacylglycerolswithaddedmediumandlongchainspecies
AT hidetakauehara spontaneousgranulationoftricaprinandtrilaurinmediumchaintriacylglycerolswithaddedmediumandlongchainspecies
AT kentaromatsumiya spontaneousgranulationoftricaprinandtrilaurinmediumchaintriacylglycerolswithaddedmediumandlongchainspecies