Evaluation of Hydrogenation Process, Trans Fatty Acid Level and Some Qualities of Selected Hydrogenated Food Products in The Markets of Addis Ababa
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Mass production of foods and extremely large variety of food products make the quantification of
their nutrient composition a difficult task. Regulations on mandatory product labeling vary from
country to country, but rarely include details of fatty acid composition. Ethiopia imports several
tons of food items composed of entirely fatty acids and considerable amount of fat. However, there
is no regulatory basis for control of fatty acid composition. Therefore, the present study has been
initiated to evaluate the hydrogenation process and determine the TFA level and some
physicochemical characteristics of hydrogenated food products in the markets of Addis Ababa.
Samples in triplicate from each of the selected commercial margarines (MO1, MO2, MO3),
vegetable ghee (GO1, GO2, GO3) and shortenings (SO1, SO2, SO3) were analyzed for their
physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition. Physicochemical characteristics were
determined following standard methods. The total composition of fatty acids of the isolated fat was
determined by gas chromatography (GC). Characterization of the fatty acids was done using
commercial standard reference material of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The process conditions
of hydrogenation at Addis Modjo Edible Oil Complex (AMEOC) were evaluated to see their effects
on TFA level. The data obtained from the laboratory analysis were subjected to ANOVA using SPSS
software. TFA level of 3% was used as a reference mean (control). All the TFA means were then
compared and significance was set at 5% level. The results showed that all the samples contained a
considerable amount of TFA ranging from 18.9 to 52.6%, and significant mean differences were
observed at p< 0.05. The physicochemical characteristics and other fatty acid values were found to
be within the recommended range. Investigation of the hydrogenation process at AMEOC revealed
that the high TFA is partly related to the hydrogenation method currently employed in the complex.
The present study clearly indicated that the hydrogenated food products in Addis Ababa’s markets
contain higher TFA levels compared to the same products studied in Europe and America. In this
situation, continuous consumption of both local and imported hydrogenated food products may
expose to greater risk of cardiovascular diseases. Reducing trans fatty acids through process
optimization and introduction of enzymatic interesterification is unquestionably essential.
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Hydrogenation process and determine