Modification of fat physical properties via triacylglycerol composition and crystal property controls

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24380148
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Zootechnical science/Grassland science
• Research Institution: National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
• Principal Investigator: AIKAWA Katsuhiro 独立行政法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 畜産草地研究所, 畜産物研究領域長 (20370629)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): CHIKUNI Koichi 独立行政法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 畜産草地研究所・畜産研究支援センター, 専門員 (40355061) ; NAKAJIMA Ikuyo 独立行政法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 畜産草地研究所・畜産物研究領域, 主任研究員 (60355063) ; MOTOYAMA Michiyo 独立行政法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 畜産草地研究所・畜産物研究領域, 主任研究員 (20414683) ; SASAKI Keisuke 独立行政法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 畜産草地研究所・畜産物研究領域, 主任研究員 (20343981)
• Research Collaborator: NARITA Takumi
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ブタ / 脂肪 / トリアシルグリセロール分子種 / 結晶 / ラマン分光 / 物性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to investigate control mechanisms of the composition of triacylglycerol (TAG) molecules and crystal properties of pork fat, and to modify physical traits of pork fat. When compared with other mammals’ adipose tissue, the gene expression patterns of isoenzymes involved in TAG synthesis were quite different only in pig fat, thus leading to unique fatty acid compositions of positions sn-1, 2 and 3 of TAGs seen in pork fat. We also established Raman-spectroscopic indices to evaluate crystal properties of pork fat, and applied to analyze crystal formation of pork fat during chilling of carcasses and microscopic distribution of crystal in porcine adipose tissues. Moreover, differed cooling speed provided different hardness values and appearances of pork fat.

Free Research Field

畜産物利用学