Alkaline earth metal and alkali metal hydroxide effects on transesterification and subsequent crystallization of butter oil

Formation of monoglycerides (MAGs) and diglycerides (DAGs) have been shown to be a product of transesterification of butteroil. The use of different catalysts may influence the chemistry of the partial glycerides that are formed. This work seeks to determine the differences among two of them. The use of KOH and NaOH as catalysts cause fewer larger triglycerides (TAGs) and overall more DAGs to form in the sample after the reaction compared to using Ba(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2 as catalysts. The crystals from transesterified butteroils contain the most stable β polymorph and were absent in control. Butteroils transesterified with KOH and NaOH contain an extra polymorphic state attributed to MAG crystallization, which also affects the morphology of the crystals causing non-spherulite crystals to form and grow. Transesterification of butteroil affects the chemistry and crystallization of the butteroil and that alkali earth metal hydroxides have a different effect compared to alkali metal hydroxides.