Patent Description:
Shea oil (butter) is a fat obtained from the shea tree. The butter is sometimes fractionated to form a stearin fraction (shea stearin) and an olein fraction (shea olein). Shea products are used in cosmetics and in the food industry. Shea oil is relatively rich in stearic and oleic acids.

A marinade is a mixture of ingredients, in which meat, fish, or other food is soaked before cooking in order to flavour and/or soften it. Typically, marinades comprise oil, wine, spices, vegetables or similar ingredients. Marinades are usually applied to refrigerated food and the marinating process usually takes place at refrigerator temperatures of about <NUM> for a period of several hours.

Marinades are described in, for example, <CIT>.

Fats and oils are important components of food products and can be responsible for texture, mouthfeel and flavor attributes. For instance, the solid fat profile can affect properties such as flavor release and structure.

Fats and oils contain glycerides. Glycerides may be in the form of mono-, di- or triglycerides having one, two or three fatty acid acyl groups, respectively, bonded to a glycerol backbone. Triglycerides are the predominant type of glyceride in edible fats and oils.

Fats and oils are sometimes subjected to an interesterification process which randomises the fatty acid acyl residues amongst the glyceride molecules. This can alter the physical properties of the fat or oil. Usually, interesterification is carried out in order to effect complete randomisation of the fatty acid acyl groups.

<CIT> describes the directed interesterification of an edible oil. The process is carried out under low temperature conditions such that some of the oil is in the solid phase. This results in a product that does not have complete randomization of the fatty acid residues but has a partially randomised distribution of the fatty acids depending on the composition of the liquid and solid oil phases at the time of randomization.

<CIT> discloses a free fatty acid composition comprising: greater than <NUM>% by weight stearic acid; from <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight oleic acid; and less than <NUM>% by weight palmitic acid. The composition may be used in the preparation of a triglyceride.

<CIT> relates to a fat composition that comprises: greater than <NUM> % by weight palmitic acid and stearic acids; from <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight oleic acid; and greater than <NUM> % by weight of combined P2St and PSt2 triglycerides, wherein P is palmitic acid and St is stearic acid; wherein the fat composition has a weight ratio of P2St:PPP triglycerides of greater than <NUM>.

<CIT> describes a glyceride composition obtainable from shea oil comprising at least <NUM> % by weight triglycerides and from <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight diglycerides based on the total weight of the composition, and having an oleic acid content of at least <NUM> % by weight and a combined stearic acid plus palmitic acid content of from <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight based on the total C12 to C20 fatty acids present in the glycerides, said oleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid being present as acyl groups in mono-, di- or tri- glycerides.

<CIT> discloses a fat composition comprising: greater than <NUM> % by weight palmitic acid present in glycerides; and from <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight P2O triglycerides, wherein P is palmitic acid and O is oleic acid; wherein the fat composition has a weight ratio of SSO:SOS triglycerides of greater than <NUM>, and wherein S is stearic or palmitic acid and O is oleic acid.

There remains a need for improved marinades, in particular having good consistency and/or viscosity both at refrigeration temperatures and at room temperature, so that the marinade has sufficient flowability to be applied to food when taken out of a refrigerator, and to be reapplied at refrigerator temperatures, and yet which does not run off the food at higher room temperatures. In particular, there is a need for such marinades that do not contain hydrogenated fats.

According to the invention, there is provided a fat composition comprising:.

The fat composition of the invention has been found to be particularly useful as a fat for a marinade. For example, the fat composition imparts good rheological properties to the marinade, generally in a blend with one or more liquid oils, allowing the marinade to be applied at refrigeration temperatures but to generally retain consistency at higher temperatures.

Also provided by the invention is a process for making the fat composition of the invention, which comprises chemically interesterifying a fat at a temperature of from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Further provided by the invention is a marinade comprising the fat composition of the invention, preferably in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, and optionally one or more ingredients selected from herbs, spices and vegetables.

In another aspect, the invention provides the use of the fat composition of the invention in a marinade.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a food product which comprises contacting the marinade of the invention with food for cooking, preferably with raw meat, and cooking the marinated food.

The term "fat" refers to glyceride fats and oils containing fatty acid acyl groups and does not imply any particular melting point. The term "oil" is used synonymously with "fat". Fats predominantly comprise triglycerides.

Amounts of triglycerides specified herein are percentages by weight based on total triglycerides present in the fat composition. The notation triglyceride XYZ denotes triglycerides having fatty acid acyl groups X, Y and Z at any of the <NUM>-, <NUM>- and <NUM>- positions of the glyceride. The notation A<NUM>B includes both AAB and ABA, and AB<NUM> includes both ABB and BAB. Triglyceride content may be determined for example by GC (ISO <NUM>).

The term "fatty acid", as used herein, refers to straight chain saturated or unsaturated (including mono- and poly- unsaturated) carboxylic acids having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. A fatty acid having n carbon atoms and x double bonds may be denoted Cn:x. For example, palmitic acid may be denoted C16:<NUM> and oleic acid may be denoted C18:<NUM>. Percentages of fatty acids in compositions referred to herein include acyl groups in tri-, di-and mono- glycerides present in the glycerides as is customary terminology in the art and are based on the total weight of C8 to C24 fatty acids. The fatty acid profile (i.e., composition) may be determined, for example, by fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME) using gas chromatography according to ISO <NUM>.

The fat composition of the invention comprises greater than <NUM>% by weight stearic acid. Preferably, the fat composition comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight stearic acid, such as from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight stearic acid.

The fat composition of the invention comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight oleic acid. Preferably, the fat composition comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight oleic acid, such as from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight oleic acid.

The fat composition of the invention comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight palmitic acid, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight palmitic acid.

The linoleic (C18:<NUM>) acid content of the fat compositions of the invention is preferably up to <NUM>% by weight, such as from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight.

The fat compositions of the invention preferably contain less than <NUM>% by weight of total C20 to C24 fatty acids, more preferably less than <NUM>% by weight, such as less than <NUM>% by weight. Additionally, or alternatively, the fat compositions of the invention may comprise less than <NUM>% by weight C8 to C14 fatty acids.

A preferred fatty acid composition for the fat compositions of the invention therefore comprises, based on the total weight of C8 to C24 fatty acids:.

The fat composition of the invention comprises greater than <NUM>% by weight of StStSt triglycerides and greater than <NUM>% by weight of PSt<NUM> triglycerides based on total triglycerides present in the composition, and a weight ratio of PSt<NUM>:StStSt triglycerides of less than <NUM>.

Preferably, the fat composition comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of StStSt triglycerides.

The weight ratio of PSt<NUM>:StStSt triglycerides is preferably in the range of from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Preferably, the fat composition has a P<NUM>St content of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight.

The PPP content of the fat compositions of the invention is preferably less than <NUM>% by weight, more preferably less than <NUM>% by weight.

The POP content of the fat compositions is preferably less than <NUM>% by weight, more preferably less than <NUM>% by weight.

The OOO content of the fat compositions is preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight.

Accordingly, a preferred triglyceride composition for the fat composition of the invention comprises:.

A most preferred fat composition of the invention therefore comprises based on the total weight of C8 to C24 fatty acids:.

The fat compositions of the invention are typically non-hydrogenated. The fat composition is usually derived from vegetable fats.

The fat compositions of the invention are preferably free of added trans fatty acids. Typically, the fat compositions have a trans fatty acid content of less than <NUM>% by weight.

The fat compositions of the invention may be made from naturally occurring or synthetic fats, fractions of naturally occurring or synthetic fats, or mixtures thereof, that satisfy the requirements for fatty acid and triglyceride composition defined herein. A preferred composition of the invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a stearin fraction of an interesterified shea olein. Alternatively, the fat composition may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a stearin fraction of an interesterified blend of fats selected from shea, shea olein, shea stearin, and mixtures thereof.

The fat composition of the invention preferably has a solid fat content defined by an N0 value of from <NUM> to <NUM> and an N35 of from <NUM> to <NUM>. The compositions preferably also have an N20 of from <NUM> to <NUM>. N10 is preferably also from <NUM> to <NUM>. N40 is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. N-values (Solid Fat content (SFC)) are determined using NMR spectroscopy according to the IUPAC <NUM>. 150a method.

The fat composition of the invention is preferably made by a process which comprises interesterifying a fat.

In one embodiment, interesterification may be enzymatic or chemical. Interesterification may be carried out at a temperature of from <NUM> to <NUM> in the presence of a basic catalyst such as sodium methoxide.

Alternatively, interesterification may be directed interesterification at a temperature of from <NUM> to <NUM>. Directed interesterification in this way results in a non-random distribution of fatty acids across the triglycerides. Preferably, the interesterification is carried out chemically, more preferably using sodium methoxide as catalyst. The interesterification is preferably carried out for at least <NUM> hours, such as from <NUM> to <NUM> hours. The product of interesterification is fractionated, preferably dry fractionated. Dry fractionation is preferably carried out by cooling molten fat to <NUM> to <NUM> in <NUM> to <NUM> hours, holding for <NUM> to <NUM> hours at <NUM> to <NUM>, cooling further to <NUM> to <NUM> in <NUM> to <NUM> hours and holding at this temperature for <NUM> to <NUM> hours.

The fat that is interesterified in the process of the invention is preferably shea, shea olein, shea stearin, and mixtures thereof, more preferably a shea olein. Shea olein having the required fatty acid composition can be produced by fractionation of shea oil (butter) by conventional methods such as dry fractionation and solvent fractionation.

Thus, one preferred process of the invention for making the fat composition of the invention, comprises chemically interesterifying a fat, preferably shea olein, at a temperature of from <NUM> to <NUM> in the presence of sodium methoxide for at least <NUM> hours, followed by dry fractionation to form a stearin fraction.

Another preferred process of the invention for making the fat composition of the invention comprises chemically interesterifying a fat, preferably a blend comprising shea olein and shea stearin, at a temperature of from <NUM> to <NUM> in the presence of sodium methoxide.

The fat composition of the invention is preferably used in a marinade. Therefore, the present disclosure not forming part of the present invention also provides a marinade comprising from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of the fat composition of the invention, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight.

Also provided by the invention is the use of a fat composition of the invention for improving the consistency of a marinade. Consistency can be compared, for example, using a Bostwick Consistometer (CSC Scientific Company, Inc).

Preferably, the fat in the marinade comprises or consists of a combination of the fat composition of the invention and one or more liquid oils (i.e., oils that are fully liquid at <NUM>). Such a combination is also referred to herein as a marinade oil blend. Suitable edible liquid oils include, for example, rapeseed oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, palm oil and mixtures thereof. The marinade oil blend preferably comprises liquid oil in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, such as from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight. The marinade oil blend preferably comprises the fat composition of the invention in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, such as from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, or from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight.

Marinades comprising the fat composition of the invention preferably comprise the marinade oil blend in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, and from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of one or more further ingredients, preferably selected from herbs, spices, salt and vegetables. The marinade preferably comprises up to <NUM>% by weight vegetables (e.g., garlic, onion, peppers (Capsicum)) and/or up to <NUM>% by weight spices (e.g., chilli, paprika, pepper (Piperaceae)). The marinade preferably comprises salt in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, such as from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight.

A preferred marinade according to the disclosure not forming part of the present invention comprises:.

Marinades of the invention are prepared by a process comprising mixing a fat composition of the invention with one or more liquid oils and one or more ingredients selected from herbs, spices and vegetables. Preferably, the marinades are packaged, for example in a bottle or jar.

A method of preparing a food product comprises contacting the marinade of the invention with food for cooking, preferably with raw meat, and cooking the marinated food. Suitable foods for marinating with the marinade of the invention include, for example, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, beef, veal, pork, lamb, fish and bean curd.

In the examples and throughout this specification, all percentages, parts and ratios are by weight unless indicated otherwise.

<NUM> kilogram shea olein was chemically interesterified by mixing with sodium methoxide at <NUM> to <NUM>, followed by reaction at <NUM> to <NUM> for at least <NUM> hours. The interesterified product was dry fractionated at <NUM> to <NUM>. The oil was first heated to <NUM> and then cooled down to <NUM> to <NUM> in <NUM> to <NUM> hours, held for <NUM> to <NUM> hours at <NUM> to <NUM> and cooled further to <NUM> to <NUM> in <NUM> to <NUM> hours and held at this temperature for <NUM> to <NUM> hours. The crystals formed were separated by means of filter pressing. The slurry was pressed using the following program: increase pressure from <NUM> to <NUM> bar in <NUM> minutes and squeeze at <NUM> bar for <NUM> minutes. In this way, about <NUM>% stearin yield was obtained. The analytical results are shown in Table <NUM>.

<NUM> kilogram of a blend of <NUM>% by weight shea olein and <NUM>% by weight shea stearin was chemically interesterified using sodium methoxide at <NUM> to <NUM>. The interesterified product was dry fractionated at <NUM> to <NUM>. The oil was first heated to <NUM> and then cooled down to <NUM> to <NUM> in <NUM> to <NUM> hours, held for <NUM> to <NUM> hours at <NUM> to <NUM> and cooled further to <NUM> to <NUM> in <NUM> to <NUM> hours and held at this temperature for <NUM> to <NUM> hours. The crystals formed were separated by means of filter pressing. The slurry was pressed using the following program: increase pressure from <NUM> to <NUM> bar in <NUM> minutes and squeeze at <NUM> bar for <NUM> minutes. In this way, about <NUM>% stearin yield was obtained. The analytical results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The stearin fractions obtained in Examples <NUM> and <NUM> are suitable for replacing hydrogenated oils and fats as crystallization/structuring agent.

The physical characteristics of different fat compositions and analytical data are given in the following Table <NUM>:.

The NMR profiles of the fat compositions of Example <NUM> and Example <NUM> are shown in the following table:.

where US-Nx refers to solid fat content determined by NMR on unstabilised fat at x°C.

The composition is also summarized in the following table:.

The following five marinade oil blends were prepared for evaluating the properties of a structured marinade oil prepared with fully hydrogenated shea olein, fully hydrogenated rapeseed oil and interesterified shea stearin compared to a structured marinade oil blend prepared as in Example <NUM> and Example <NUM>. The oil blends were heated to <NUM> and passed through a scraped surface heat exchanger and pin-rotor. The viscosity of the products was controlled by controlling the outlet temperature of the blends (<NUM>-<NUM>. The resultant partially crystallized blends were collected and left to stand at room temperature (ca. <NUM>) for <NUM> hours.

The consistency of the marinade oil blends stored at <NUM> and <NUM> was compared in duplicate using a Bostwick Consistometer. The results were reported as the distance travelled (cm) in <NUM> seconds. The difference between the scores at <NUM> and <NUM> was calculated.

The hydrogenated samples (marinade oil blend C and D) and marinade oil blend B (Example <NUM>) and A (Example <NUM>) performed the best. Marinade oil blend E performed the worst. Both marinade oil blend B and marinade oil blend A could successfully be used in oil-based marinades.

The thickness of the marinade oil blends stored at <NUM> and <NUM> was visually evaluated on a scale of <NUM> (water) to <NUM> (peanut butter) by a qualified panel of <NUM> people. The difference between the scores at <NUM> and <NUM> was calculated. The hydrogenated samples (marinade oil blend C and D) performed the best, followed by marinade oil blend B (Example <NUM>) and A (Example <NUM>). Marinade oil bland E performed the worst. Both marinade oil blend A and marinade oil blend B could successfully be used in oil-based marinades.

Two different marinades were prepared using the marinade oil blends. The formulations are shown in the table below.

Claim 1:
Fat composition comprising:
greater than <NUM>% by weight stearic acid;
from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight oleic acid; and
from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight palmitic acid;
said percentages of acids referring to acids bound as acyl groups in glycerides in the fat composition and being based on the total weight of C8 to C24 fatty acids; and
greater than <NUM>% by weight of StStSt triglycerides and greater than <NUM>% by weight of PSt<NUM> triglycerides based on total triglycerides present in the composition, and a weight ratio of PSt<NUM>:StStSt triglycerides of less than <NUM>, wherein P is palmitic acid and St is stearic acid.