Abstract
Emulsifiers act as Fat crystal modifiers and can modulate the crystallization process of fats. In this study, we have reported the effect of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) on the physicochemical properties of an underutilized vegetable fat "mango butter" (MB). MB-PGPR based formulations were prepared by heat-cool method. Microscopic studies showed that PGPR resulted in the formation of globular MB crystals. XRD and thermal studies conjointly suggested that the MB crystals were predominantly crystallized as beta-polymorph. However, PGPR induced imperfections within the MB crystals. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that PGPR considerably varied the local environment of the MB crystals. PGPR also altered the nucleation time and crystallization rate of the MB crystal formation. The MB formulation that contained 2.5% (w/w) PGPR was found to have good mechanical stability. In gist, the addition of PGPR (as a crystal modifier) can help us to influence the crystal behavior and physicochemical properties of the MB fat.