Cooking fat compositions.

Technical Field

0001The present invention relates to a method for reducing sticking of foods during cooking through the use of a fat composition containing an anti-sticking agent. More particularly, this invention relates to an anti-sticking additive for cooking fats comprising a salt of an oxyacid of phosphorus, preferably a phosphate salt, or mixtures thereof.

Background of the Invention

0002During cooking of foods on a hot surface the food often sticks to the surface. Cooking fats are employed to coat the surface as an aid in eliminating such sticking. Two performance problems of currently available cooking fats are the development of a dark brown color and development of off-flavors if the fat is held too long on the heated surface. These are caused by the presence of lecithin which is commonly added to cooking fats as an anti-sticking agent. Lecithin aids in decreasing food sticking but the amount which can be used in the cooking fat is limited due to the color development and off-flavor development. Fats containing a higher than normal level of lecithin to enhance the anti-sticking properties darken and develop off flavors more quickly.

0003Despite its disadvantages, lecithin is widely used as an anti-sticking agent in cooking fats. For example, see the following patents disclosing fat-based cookware surface sprays containing lecithin as an anti-sticking agent: U.S. Patent 3,896,975 of Follmer, issued July 29, 1975; U.S. Patent 4,142,003 of Sejpal, issued February 27, 1979; U.S. Patent 4,155,770 of Doumani, issued May 22, 1979; U.S. Patent 4,163,676 of Konigsbacker, issued August 7, 1979; and U.S. Patent 4,188,412 of Sejpal, issued February 12, 1980.

0004Several fat or oil additives are known for inhibiting darkening of phospholipids such as lecithin upon heating. These additives are primarily acidic or weakly basic compounds such as amino acid salts, carboxylic acids and derivatives, or salts of carbonates or bicarbonates. Inhibition of discoloration of phospholipids in fatty oils during heating can be achieved by the addition to the oil of a mixture of an acidic amino acid salt and a basic amino acid salt chosen from salts of arginine and glutamic acids, lysine and glutamic acids, or lysine and aspartic acid. In addition, sodium glutaminate, acidic anhydride, or alkali metal acetate can be employed.

0005Pretreatment of lecithin to prevent thermal browning in heated fat compositions is taught by Japan Patent 54,400, issued April 21, 1980. The pretreatment comprises heating the lecithin in an inert atmosphere either alone or diluted with a fat at 150°C to 230°C (302°F to 446°F) for 5 minutes to 1 hour.

0006Japan patent 91,910, issued August 12, 1978, discloses the stabilization of vegetable oil fatty acid monoglyceride quality by the addition of 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of disodium phosphate, trisodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, and/or tripotassium phosphate. The oxidation of carotene and tocopherols present in slight amounts is depressed to prevent coloration. Soybean, palm, cottonseed and coconut oil are specified as examples of suitable vegetable oils. The phosphates are added with stirring as an aqueous solution to the oil heated to 80 to 100°C. Solvents such as propylene glycol, sorbitol, or glycerin, are employed to assure uniformity of the mixture.

0007U.S. Patent 3,355,302 of Purves et al., issued November 28, 1967, discloses a plastic shortening suitable for frying and baking containing 0.2% to 1.0% by weight of a C₁₂ to C₂₂ fatty acid monoester of polyoxyethylene sorbitan containing an average of about 20 oxyethylene units per molecule. The fatty acid monoester is preferably acid treated and/or the shortening contains about 0.01% to 0.25% by weight of an oil-insoluble water-soluble salt of phosphoric acid. Suitable salts include: sodium metaphosphate; sodium phosphate, dibasic, hexahydrate; tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, anhydrous; tetrasodium pyrophosphate, decahydrate; sodium phosphate tribasic; sodium phosphate, monobasic; sodium glycerophosphate; sodium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous; Graham's salt; and sodium hexametaphosphate having a_fl average of 14 metaphosphate monomer units per molecule. The salts of phosphoric acid are employed specifically to reduce spatter and to aid in improving temperature recoverability of the shortening during frying.

0008These references disclose fat and shortening compositions containing phosphate salts as an anti-spattering agent and to suppress color development, but not that phosphate salts are effective as an anti-sticking agent and can be used as a substitute for lecithin. Eliminating the use of lecithin as a component of cooking fat compositions eliminates the resulting problems of thermal browning and off-flavor development when the fat is used in frying or grilling.

0009Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel anti-sticking agent for use in cooking fats.

0010It is a further object of the present invention to provide fat compositions having effective anti-sticking properties in the absence of lecithin.

0011It is a further object of the present invention to provide fat compositions having effective anti-sticking properties in the presence of reduced levels of lecithin.

0012It is a further object of the present invention to provide fat compositions containing an anti-sticking agent with improved color and flavor during use.

0013It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel process for reducing sticking of food during cooking.

0014These and other objects of the invention will be evident from the following disclosure.

Disclosure of the Invention

0015A new anti-sticking agent for use in cooking fats has been discovered comprising salts of the oxyacids of phosphorus, preferably phosphate salts. An improved cooking fat composition containing such a salt, or mixtures thereof, resists the thermal darkening and off-flavor development normally associated with the use of lecithin as an anti-sticking agent. When lecithin is omitted, a cooking fat with improved color and flavor during use results. The salt can also be used in the presence of lecithin or reduced levels of lecithin, with color and off-flavor development retarded in proportion to the lecithin reduction. Salts useful herein include those of the form MX wherein M comprises an alkali metal, alkali earth metal, mixed alkali-other metal, or ammonium, and X comprises primarily an hypophosphate, orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, polyphosphate, metaphosphate or other similar anions.

0016The fat composition of the present invention comprises primarily triglycerides having saturated or unsaturated C₁₂ to C₂₂ fatty acid moieties, preferably containing a suspension of particulate triglyceride hardstock. The salt is present at a level of at least about 0.001% by weight of the composition, preferably at a level of from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight of the composition.

0017Additionally, this invention comprises a method for reducing sticking of food during cooking by cooking with a fat composition containing a salt of an oxyacid of phosphorus, or mixtures thereof, as an anti-sticking agent.

Description of Preferred Embodiment

0018This invention comprises a novel anti-sticking agent for use in cooking fats, in particular, frying and grilling fats. It has been found that salts of the oxyacids of phosphorus, preferably phosphate salts, or mixtures thereof, are effective as anti-sticking agents in cooking fats. Elimination of lecithin as an anti-sticking agent results in an improved cooking fat which resists off-flavor development and thermal darkening. The salts can also be used in the presence of lecithin or reduced levels of lecithin, with color and off-flavor development retarded in proportion to the lecithin reduction.

0019The term "lecithin" as used herein is defined as commercial lecithin, typically containing about 60% of three major phospholipids, i.e., phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and phosphatidyl inositide, about 5% to 7% oligosacchai ides, and about 33% to 35% oil.

0020Fats suitable for use in the present invention include all edible fats or oils which are solid, plastic, liquid or fluid, i.e., pourable or fluid when heated to temperatures normally encountered in cooking operations of from about 200°F (93°C) to about 500°F (260°C). The fats typically comprise triglycerides having C₁₂ to C₂₂ fatty acid moieties. The cooking fat compositions of the present invention comprise up to about 99.999% by weight triglycerides. These materials can be derived from plants or animals or can be edible synthetic fats or oils. Animal fats such as lard, tallow, oleo oil, oleo stock, oleo stearin, and the like, can be used. Also, liquid oils such as unsaturated oils, or liquid oils converted into plastic fats by partial hydrogenation of the unsaturated double bonds of the fatty acid constituents, or by proper mixture with a sufficient amount of solid triglycerides, are suitable.

0021Preferred fats are fluid fats having a sufficiently low content of triglycerides of melting point higher than about 60°F (16°C), as to provide upon cooling of the composition from about 100°F (38°C) to about 60°F (16°C), an increase in the amount of solids of not more than about 20%. Such fats are fully pourable at room temperature. Liquid glycerides useful herein comprise primarily triglycerides having C₁₂ to C₂₂ fatty acid moieties which can be saturated or unsaturated. They can be derived from any of the naturally occurring glyceride oils such as soybean oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and the like. Also suitable are liquid oil fractions obtained from palm oil, lard and tallow, as for example by graining or directed interesterification followed by separation of the oil.

0022The fluid fat preferably includes triglycerides having acyl groups predominantly in the range of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms and having a polyunsaturated character. Preferred polyunsaturated triglycerides include those derived from soybean, cottonseed, peanut, safflower and sunflower seeds. The preferred fluid fat contains a suspension of a triglyceride hardstock constituent in particulate form. The hardstock constituent usually an.ounts to from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of the fat, preferably from about 2% to about 5% by weight. The hardstock constituents comprises substantially fully hydrogenated normally solid fatty triglycerides, and optionally a normally solid fatty emulsifier. The hardstock constituent ordinarily has an iodine value of less than about 15, preferably it has an iodine value ranging from about 1 to about 12. The normally solid fatty triglycerides in the hardstock constituent ordinarily contain in each of their fatty acid moieties from 12 to 22 carbon atoms. The hardstock normally has a particle size in the range of from apout 3 to about 100 microns to allow the fat to have a stable liquid or fluid state.

0023Various additives can be used in the cooking fats of this invention as minor components consistent with the ultimate end use, which primarily comprises various types of frying or griddling. The compositions of this invention can normally contain optional amounts of flavorings, emulsifiers, anti-spattering agents, anti-foaming agents, antioxidants, and the like.

0024The oxyacids of phosphorus referred to herein include hypophosphorous acid, phosphorous acid, pyrophosphorous acid, hypophosphoric acid, orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, and metaphosphoric acid. The salts of the oxyacids of phosphorus effective as anti-sticking agents in the present invention comprise primarily inorganic salts represented by the formula MX, wherein M comprises an alkali metal, alkali earth metal, mixed alkali metal-other metal or ammonium, and X comprises an hypophosphate, orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, polyphosphate, metaphosphate, or other similar anions. Other sarts of oxyacids of phosphorus which are capable of functioning in an equivalent manner are also included within the scope of the present invention. Such compounds can include phosphites, hypophosphites, and the like. However, the phosphate salts are preferred.

0025Particularly suitable alkali metal and alkali earth metals include sodium, potassium and calcium. The hypophosphate anion can be represented by the general structure P₂O₆. Examples of suitable hypophosphate salts include NaqP206 10H₂O, Na3HP206'9H20, Na₂H₂P₂O₆·6H₂O, Ca₂P₂O₆·2H₂O, (NH₄)₂H₂P₂O₆, and other similar salts.

0026All of the hydrogens in orthophosphoric acid are replaceable with metal ions. Therefore, many forms of the orthophosphates exist and can be used in the present invention. Examples of suitable compounds include, but are not limited to, the following. Sodium orthophosphates suitable for use in the present invention include NaH₂PO₄, NaH₂PO₄.H₂O, ^Na^H₂^P0₄.^2H₂^0, 2NaH₂PO₄.Na₂HPO₄.2H₂O, NaH₂PO₄.Na₂HPO₄, NaH₂PO₄.H₃PO₄, Na₂HPO_4' Na₂HP0₄.2H₂0, Na₂HPO₄.7H₂O, Na₂HPO₄.8H₂O, Na₂HPO₄.12H₂O, Na₃PO₄, Na₃PO₄.1/2H₂O, Na₃PO₄.6H₂O, Na₃^P0₄.8H₂0, Na₃PO₄.10H₂O, and Na₃P0₄.12H₂0. Potassium orthophosphates suitable for use in the present invention include K₃PO₄, K₂PO₃.4H₂O, KH₅(PO₄)₂, KH₂PO₄, KH₂PO₄.2K₂HPO₄.H₂O, KH₂PO₄.3K₂HPO₄.2H₂O, K₂HPO₄, ^K₂^HP0₄.^3H₂^0, K₂HPO₄.6H₂O, K₃HPO₄.3H₂O, K₃HPO₄.7H₂O, and K₃HP0₄.9H₂0. Calcium phosphates which are useful herein include Ca(PO₃)₂, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, CaH₄(PO₄)₂.H₂O, C_a8H₂(PO₄)₆.5H₂O, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, CaHPO₄, CaHPO₄.2H₂O, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, and Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH.

0027Many orthophosphates contain two or more cations. Suitable alkali metal-other metal phosphates for use in the present invention include NaAl₃H₁₄(PO₄)₈.4H₂O and Na₃Al₂H₁₅(PO₄)₈. Ammonium orthophosphates suitable for use in the present invention include NH₄H₂PO₄, NH₄H₅(PO₄)₂.H₂O, NH₄H₅(PO₄)_2' NH₄H₂PO₄, (NH₄)₂HPO₄, 2(NH₄)₂HPO₄. (NH₄)₃PO₄, and (NH₄)₃PO₄.3H₂O.

0028The structure of the pyrophosphate anion consists of two PO₄ tetrahedra bridged by a mutual oxygen atom. The size of the central P-O-P angle varies with different metal pyrophosphates. Pyrophosphates have a great tendency to occur in polymorphic phases and this polymorphism may be due to three kinds of structure arrangements: (a)linear ions with P-O-P angle equal to 180°, (b) nonlinear ions with P-O-P angle of less than 180°, or (c) statistically linear ions derived from suitable arrangement of nonlinear ions. Examples of pyrophosphates that can be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following. Sodium pyrophosphates Na₄P₂0₇.10H₂^0, Na₄P₂O₇, Na₃HP₂O₇.9H₂O, Na₃HP₂O₇, H₂O, Na₃HP₂O_7'^Na₂^H₂^P₂⁰₇.^6H₂0, Na₂H₂P₂O₇, and NaH₃P₂O₇ can be used in the present invention. Potassium pyrophosphates include K₄P₂O₇, K₄P₂O₇.H₂O, K₄P₂O₇.3H₂O, K₂H₂P₂O₇, and K₂H₂P₂O₇.½H₂O.

0029Calcium pyrophosphates, Ca₂P₂O₇, Ca₂P₂O₇.5H₂O, exist in several polymorphic states, many of which are useful in the present invention. Ammonium pyrophosphates useful herein include (NH₄)₄P₂O₇, (NH₄)₄P₂O₇.H₂O, (NH₄)₃HP₂O₇, (NH₄)₃HP₂O₇.H₂O, and (NH₄)₂H₂P₂O₇.

0030The polyphosphate anion may be represented by the gener formula P₃O₁₀. Polyphosphates include tripolyphosphates, tetre polyphosphates and other higher polyphosphates. Polyphosphat of sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium are known and suitable for use in the present invention. Examples include Na₅P₃O₁₀, K₅P₃O₁₀, ^Na₆(^P₄⁰₁₃), (NH₄)₆P₄O₁₃.6H₂O, (NaPO₃)₃.6H₂O_' and (KPO₃)₄.2H₂O. Cyclic metaphosphates ar also suitable for use in the present invention and include trimetaphosphates, tetrametaphosphates, and higher membered ring metaphosphates. Examples include (NaP0₃)₃, (NaPO₃)_4' (NaPO₃)₆, (KPO₃)₆, and the like.

0031Of the above salts effective as anti-sticking agents in the present invention the following are preferred: NaH₂PO_4' NaH₂PO₄.H₂O, Na₂HPO₄, Na₃PO₄, CaH₄(PO₄)_2' CaHP0₄, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH, KH₂PO₄, NH₄H₂PO₄, Na₄P₂O₇, Na₃HP₂0₇, Na₃Al₂H₁₅(PO₄)₈, and (^NaP0₃)₆.

0032To be effective as an anti-sticking agent the salt must be present in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight of the fat composition. Preferably the phosphate salt is present in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight of the composition.

0033The salt can be added to the fat composition as a solution, as a particulate, or formed in-situ. Heating a small amount of the fat composition in an oven at about 150°F (66°C) for about 3 minutes aids in dispersing particulate salts prior to diluting in the remainder of the fat composition. Particle size can possibly affect anti-sticking performance for some salts, and size should be optimized for a specific composition.

0034The salt can be formed in-situ by adding appropriate reactants to the fat composition, for example, an oxyacid of phosphorous and an alkali, alkali metal, or ammonium compound. Preferred oxyacids include orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric add, polyphosphoric acid, or metaphosphoric acid. Preferably the oxyacid is heated with a carbonate or bicarbonate of sodium, potassium, calcium, or ammonium. Other appropriate reactants within the skill of the art can be employed if chosen to prevent the formation of byproducts detrimental to the properties of the fat composition.

0035Additionally, this invention comprises a method for reducing sticking of food during cooking, particularly frying or grilling. This is accomplished by using an improved fat containing up to about 99.999% of edible triglycerides having saturated or unsaturated C₁₂ to C₂₂ fatty acid moieties and at least 0.001% by weight of a salt of an oxyacid of phosphorus, or mixtures thereof, as an anti-sticking agent. Preferably, the fat composition contains from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a triglyceride hardstock as an additional component having an iodine value ranging from about 1 to about 12. The anti-sticking agent is a salt of an oxyacid of phosphorus, or mixtures thereof, having the formula MX, wherein M comprises an alkali metal, alkali earth metal, mixed alkali-other metal, or ammonium, and X comprises an hypophosphate, orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, polyphosphate, metaphosphate, or similar anion. Lecithin at reduced levels can also be present, but the improvement in color and flavor will be less than if lecithin is not used.

0036It can be appreciated that still other executions of this invention can be devised without departing from its scope and spirit and without losing its advantages. In particular, the use of salts of the oxyacids of phosphorus as anti-sticking agents in fat compositions as a substitute for lecithin, or in combination with lecithin, however practiced, results in an improved fat with decreased thermal darkening and off-flavor development during use.

Kettle Browning Test Method

0037Comparison of fat composition discoloration in all compositions was via a standard kettle browning test method. A kettle was filled with liquid oil at a specified level, heated, and maintained at 350°F (177°C). Four hundred grams of the composition to be tested were placed into each of four beakers. The beakers were placed in a rack on top of the kettle in a manner such that they were predominantly immersed in the oil contained within the kettle. A thermometer was placed in each beaker. The compositions were heated to 340°F (171°C). The compositions were then sampled and the absorbance measured for each using a spectrophotometer. Reference compositions were tested in the same manner. Reference samples comprised the fat composition being tested with no lecithin component or with an untreated lecithin component present at the same concentration as in the test sample. Absorbance readings for each test and reference composition were obtained on a Varian Series 634 U.V. - Visible Spectrophotometer set at a wavelength of 534 nm. at periodic time intervals after continuous heating of the samples. Test samples containing solids resulted in inaccurate absorbance readings. When this occurred, samples were heated to a higher temperature to dissolve the solids, or alternatively, samples and reference compositions were filtered and reheated prior to measuring their absorbance.

Pan-Sticking Test

0038A pan-sticking test was employed to determine the anti-sticking performance of fats when used for pan frying. The fat to be tested was first heated to 125°F (52°C) in a constant temperature bath. A gas stove equipped with a gas flow meter was employed. After lighting the flame the gas flow was adjusted to 3.5 standard cubic feet per hour. Eggs were warmed to room temperature and cracked into 400 mi. beakers, one egg per beaker. The frying pan was seasoned by placing 400 g. of fat into the pan and heating on the stove for ten minutes. The fat was then discarded and the pan wiped with a paper towel. The pan was returned to the flame and preheated to 400°F (204°C). The pan interior was then coated quickly with 2 cc. of the fat. The egg was added and cooked for 1 minute and 10 seconds. The pan was removed from the flame and tilted at a 90° angle to grade sticking performance according to the following scale. The pan was wiped with a paper towel to remove any stuck egg and residual oil. The test was then repeated 10 times for each fat sample beginning at the point of preheating the pan to 400°F (204°C). <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0001.tif" /></tables>

0039The following embodiments illustrate the practice of this invention, but are not intended to limit it. All percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified. The designation "ppm" is used herein to mean parts per million as micrograms per gram.

Example 1

0040Example 1 illustrates that phosphate salts formed in situ are effective as anti-sticking agents.

0041Various amounts of lecithin, a 22% solution of sodium carbonate (Na₂C0₃), and a 70% solution of orthophosphoric acid (H₃P0₄) as shown in Table I were added to a fluid vegetable shortening containing trace amounts of coconut oil, carotene, and flavors. The shortening comprised primarily triglycerides having C₁₂ to C₂₂ fatty acid moieties and contained from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a suspension of triglyceride hardstock in particulate form. A sample of the shortening containing no added lecithin, sodium carbonate, or orthophosphoric acid was employed as a reference. The samples were heated in an oven for about 30 minutes at about 150°F (66°C) and were then filtered. The filtrates were subjected to the pan-sticking test previously described. As shown in Table I, the compositions containing both Na₂CO₃ and H₃P₄ had higher sticking grades than those with only lecithin or lecithin plus Na₂CO₃. The above procedure was repeated using the same shortening with no added lecithin, and with various amounts of added Na₂CO₃ and H₃PO₄, as shown in Table I. No filtration step was performed on these samples. Again, the compositions containing both Na₂CO₃ and H₃PO₄ had higher sticking grades than those containing no additives or only Na₂CO_3.<tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0002.tif" /></tables>

y. Example 2

0042Calcium phosphate in the concentrations shown on Table II was added with mixing to 3600 grams of the fluid vegetable shortening of Example 1. A sample of the shortening with no added salt was employed as a reference. Samples containing added salt and containing 0.06% and 0.09% lecithin were also tested. All samples were heated in an oven for about 30 minutes at about 150°F (66°C). The samples were subjected to the pan-sticking test previously described. The lecithin-containing samples and one of the salt-containing samples were subjected to the kettle browning test previously described. The resulting data are summarized in Table II. The samples containing calcium phosphate as an anti-sticking agent had sticking grades comparable to the samples containing lecithin. The phosphate salt samples were much lower in color intensity than the lecithin samples as shown by the lower absorbance reading. <tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0003.tif" /></tables>

Example 3

0043Sodium phosphate in the amounts shown in Table III was added with mixing to 3600 grams of the fluid vegetable shortening of Example 1. The samples were treated as in Example 2 and subjected to the pan-sticking test previously described. The resulting data are summarized in Table III. <tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0004.tif" /></tables>

Example 4

0044Potassium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, and sodium aluminum phosphate, at a level of 100 ppm each, were added with mixing to the shortening composition of Example 1. The samples were treated as in Example 2 and subjected to the pan-sticking test previously described. The resulting data are summarized in Table IV. <tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0005.tif" /></tables>

Example 5

0045Sodium pyrophosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate in the amounts shown in Table V were added with mixing to the shortening composition of Example 1. The samples were treated as in Example 2 and subjected to the pan-sticking test previously described. The resulting data are summarized in Table V. <tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0006.tif" /></tables>

Example 6

0046The shortening composition disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,355,302 of Purves, Going, and Dobson, issued November 28, 1967, was prepared containing 0.5% by weight Tween 60 and sodium hexametaphosphate at the level shown in Table VI. No lecithin was present. The compositions were tested using the pan-sticking and kettle-browning tests previously described. The resulting data are summarized in Table VI. No appreciable product browning was observed. The pan-sticking values demonstrate that the sodium hexametaphosphate did not function as an anti-sticking agent in this composition. It is hypothesized that the polyoxyethylene ethers of sorbitan partial esters (Tweens) possibly interfere with the anti-sticking function. Each pan-sticking value represents an average of 20 eggs tested. <tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0007.tif" /></tables>

Example 7

0047Example 7 illustrates that t) the flavor of shortening containing a phosphate salt as an anti-sticking agent is equivalent to the same shortening containing lecithin, and 2) off-flavor development upon heating for shortening containing a phosphate salt as an anti-sticking agent is less than for the same shortening containing lecithin as an anti-sticking agent.

0048Various amounts of lecithin, sodium pyrophosphate and tribasic calcium phosphate, as shown in Table VII, were added to the shortening composition of Example 1. The sample containing lecithin was used as a standard and assigned a value of 10. The other compositions were evaluated by taste panels for both fresh flavor and off-flavor compared to the standard. The scale for evaluation was as follows: 10 = identical to standard, 9 = not different, 8 = slightly different, 7 = different, and 6 = very different. A + or - was then assigned to indicate better or worse flavor. A + indicated better flavor than the standard and a - indicated worse flavor than the standard. Samples were compared on a fresh basis and the resulting data are summarized in Table VII-A. The fresh flavor grades for shortenings containing phosphate salts are comparable to that for the shortening containing lecithin indicating that the salts did not affect fresh flavor. The samples were then evaluated after browning for 4 hours at 270°F (132°C). The shortening containing lecithin, which is known to develop off-flavor, was assigned a value of 10. The other samples were compared to it using the scale described above for degrees of differences and a + or - to indicate better or worse flavor, respectively, than the standard. The resulting data are summarized in Table VII-B. The browned flavor grades indicated a difference in flavor. The + indicated the shortenings containing phosphate salts had better flavor than the standard, and therefore that the salts decreased off-flavor. A greater difference in grades corresponded to a greater improvement in flavor. <tables id="tabl0008" num="0008"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0008.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0009" num="0009"><img file="EP0157531A2_D0009.tif" /></tables>