GB2337528A - Alcohol free vegetable oil composition comprising a medium chain triglyceride - Google Patents

Abstract

An alcohol free cooking oil composition, adapted to be dispensed by spraying, comprises a vegetable oil and a medium chain triglyceride (MCT). The vegetable oil, which is preferably incorporated from 6-18% by volume, may be sesame seed, sunflower, rape seed, grapeseed, soya, cotton seed, corn or olive oil. The MCT comprises fatty acids having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms and may contain a relatively high proportion of caprylic acid (preferably 55-75% by volume) and capric acid (preferably 25-45%). The composition may contain a non-stick agent, such as lecithin, preferably present in an amount of 1-7% by volume. The composition may be used with an aerosol dispenser in which the viscosity of the composition is preferably less than 40 centipoise at 20‹C or, alternatively, be used with pump spray devices in which the viscosity of the composition is preferably less than 70 centipoise at 20‹C. An aerosol dispenser containing the composition preferably includes a gas propellant, such as nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or a hydrocarbon gas, at a pressure of 8 bar or above.

Description

2337528 1 IMPROVED VEGETABLE OIL FOR "P SPRAYS AND AEROSOLS This invention

relates to vegetable oil products for use in cooking which are adapted to be dispensed by spraying.

Hitherto it has not been possible to satisfactorily dispense cookin g oils consisting of unfractionated vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, rape seed oil and olive oil together.with a non stick-agent such as lecithin and other additives, by means of hand held spray devices fitted with finger or trigger operated pumps (referred to hereafter as pump spray devices) or from aerosol cans pressurised with non-flammable compressible gases such as nitrous oxide (referred to hereafter as aerosol spray devices), because of their high viscosity.

It has previously been attempted to render vegetable oil compositions sprayable by reducing their viscosity. This has been effected either by producing an emulsion of the oil in water or by the addition of pure alcohol to the oil. In some cases alcohol has also been incorporated in a water and oil emulsion as a preservative for the aqueous phase. However such systems are susceptible to micro organism induced spoilage and have limited shelf life due to the tendency to break down into oil and water phases over time. Compositions containing alcohol are also flammable. Moreover the inclusion of alcohol in foodstuffs is prohibited or restricted in some countries for religious, health or other reasons.

A further problem inherent in conventional vegetable oil compositions containing polyunsaturates is a tendency to oxidise readily in high temperatu cooking, such as frying and baking. For example, sunflower oil and water emulsion with 3 percent lecithin forms a hard lacquer-like film when sprayed on baking sheets and baked for more than 15 minutes at 20W250' C.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sprayable cooking oil composition in which some or all of the above disadvantages are obviated or mitigated.

2 The invention provides an alcohol free cooking oil composition comprising a vegetable oil and a medium chain triglyceride, the composition being of sprayable viscosity.

The term "medium chain triglyceride" (MCT) is used herein to refer to fatty acids having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms in the chain esterified or reesterified with glycerine.

MCTs are generally obtained by the processing of coconut oil or palm oil, usually by three main stages, namely: (1) extraction of the fatty acids usually after hydrolysis or saponification, (2) their fractional distillation and (3) re esterification into triglycerides. Such MCTs have a very low viscosity and considerably lower the viscosity of compositions incorporating unfractionated vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, rape seed oil and olive oil.

Preferably the MCT contains a relatively high proportion of the C8 and C10 fatty acids (caprylic acid and capric acid), for example 55-75% of caprylic acid and 25-45% of capric acid. Suitable MCTs for use in the present invention include Delios S and Delios V produced by Henkel Organics Ltd.

The resultant viscosity of the composition will vary dependent on the spray delivery system to be employed to dispense the composition. Compositions for use with aerosol dispensers preferably have a viscosity of less than 40 centipoise at 200C and preferably of around 30 centipoise. Compositions for use with pump spray devices preferably have a viscosity of less than 70 centipoise at 201C.

Thus the invention also provides an alcohol free cooking oil composition for delivery from an aerosol spray dispenser, the composition comprising a vegetable oil and a low viscosity MCT, and having a viscosity of less then 40 centipoise at 2WC.

Preferably the composition incorporates from 6-18% of vegetable oil by 3 volume.

The invention also provides an alcohol free cooking oil composition for delivery by a finger operated pump spray device, the composition comprising a vegetable oil and a low viscosity MCT, and having a viscosity of less than 70 centipoise at 200C.

Preferably the composition includes from 55-70% of vegetable oil and from 2 5 -4 5% of MCT by volume.

Preferably also the composition includes a non-stick agent. The preferred non-stick agent is lecithin. Preferably the non-stick agent is present in an amount of 1 to 7% and preferably about 2% by volume.

Suitable vegetable oils for use with the invention include rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame seed oil, olive- oil, grapeseed oil, soya oil, cotton seed oil and corn oil.

Various examples of cooking oil compositions according to the invention are described hereafter, by way of example only.

Different ingredient combinations for aerosol and finger pump spray dispensing were tested over time and at different storage temperatures to determine which would give the best spray performance at the lowest price. The optimum viscosity range was also determined.

The aerosol samples were sensitive to slight changes in viscosity and did not perform as well over time or when subjected to changes in temperature. Performance was improved by filling the can with nitrous oxide or other propellant at a pressure of 8 bars and above, which allowed some of the gas to dissolve into the oil. The tests established that up to 6% rape seed oil can be employed in compositions utilising Delios V as the MCT in winter without significantly affecting the spray, while up to 18% may be acceptable in summer.

4 Finger pump samples showed a greater resistance to changes in viscosity of the oil, in time and in storage temperature. Optimum combinations employing different vegetable oils are set out in table 2.1 and do not require adjusting to summer and winter temperature changes.

All of the samples show superior spray profiles to currently available compositions. Various parameters of both systems can be interchanged to provide a good spray. Percentages quoted are by volume.

Examples 1 to 6 The following combinations of Delios V with rapeseed oil were tested in aerosol dispensers using nitrous o)dde gas propellant to determine the optimum combination and viscosity for optimum spray performance:

1.

2.

4. 5. 6.

100% Delios V Delios V with 6% rapeseed oil Delios V with 12% rapeseed oil Delios V with 18% rapeseed oil Delios V with 2.7% vegetable oil and 0. 3% garlic flavour Delios V with 6% sesame oil and 2% sesame flavour The results are shown in Tables 1.1 and 1.2.

Table 1.1 - Spray performance of aerosol with time Spray Pe ormance 1 day 1 week 3 weeks 1 100% Delios V Excellent spray Good spray Good spray 2 Up to 6% Rapeseo_ Excellent spray Good spray Good spray 3 Up to 12% Rapeseed Good spray Acceptable, spray not Some foaming and as even occasional jetting 4 Up to 18% Rapeseed Acceptable Acceptable, spray not Unacceptable as even Garlic flavour Good pray Acceptable eptable 6 Sesame flavour Good spray Acceptable Acceptable The product was introduced into an aerosol dispenser filled to a can pressure of 8 bars, using nitrous oxide gas. Some pressure drop was noticed after initial filling which was attributed to some of the nitrous oxide dissolving into the oil. Subsequent trials increased the can pressure above the desired pressure of 8 bars to allow for this and these trials showed a much better spray performance over time. The can pressure can be increased to 10 bars with good results. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrocarbon and other gases can be substituted for nitrous oxide and a variety of lecithins, modified lecithins or other release agents can be utilised as non-stick agents (down to 0.5% for acetylated lecithin). The lecithin employed in the tests was Emulfluid F30 supplied by Lucas Meyer of Deeside, Clwyd. The fill level can be reduced to improve the spray performance over the pack life of the product.

Table 1.2 - Spray performance of the aerosol at different temperatures:

Spray Pe ance Viscosity (cp) Under 4T Below 12T Above 12T At 200C 1 98% Delios V (MCT) Unacceptable Good spK Excellent spray 32 2 61/0' rapeseed oil in Unacceptable Acceptable Very good stray 35 Delios V 3 12% rapeseed oil in Unacceptable Acceptable Good spray 38 Delios V 4 18% rapeseed oil in Unacceptable Unacceptable Acceptable 41 Delios V Flavoured:

Garlic in Delios V Unacceptable Acceptable Good spray 35 6 Sesame in Delios V Unacceptable Acceptable Good spray 35 Aerosol sprays are very sensitive to the viscosity of the liquid composition. The viscosity must be as close to 30 cp (at 20Q as possible and preferably not above 36 cp.

To obtain a fine spray it is important to fill the dispenser to a pressure above the optimum operating pressure, to allow for some of the nitrous oxide to dissolve into the oil.

The compositions are very sensitive to temperature, due to the increase in viscosity with decrease in temperature. Although the spray profile is best with Delios V and lecithin, up to 6% rapeseed oil can be added to Delios V in 6 winter (to bring down costs) without significantly affecting the spray, while up to 12% could be added during summer. Above 12% the spray is compromised, although 18% may be acceptable for summer production.

The following substitutions can be made to the examples outlined above:

3.

4.

S.

6.

Delios S can be substituted for Delios V as it has a slightly lower viscosity.

2. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrocarbon and other gases can be substituted for nitrous oxide. The can pressure can be increased to at least 10 bars to improve spray performance. The fill level can be reduced to improve spray performance over the pack life. A variety of lecithins or other non-stick agents can be employed instead of Emulfluid F30. Other vegetable oils such as soya oil, grapeseed oil and sunflower oil can be utilised instead of rapeseed oil. - Examples 7 to 13 Tables 2.1 and 2.2 show results obtained using compositions based on sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil and olive oil at viscosities suitable for dispensing by finger operated pump spray devices. Tests were carried out using Mark 11, Mark IV and M300 pump actuated spray containers produced by Calmar Inc. of California, U.S.A.

Table 2.1 - Ingredient Combinations that spray at minimum cost:

Variety Ingredients for best spray Range for acceptable spray Actuator (at lowest cost) 7 MCT 98% Delios V Mark II 2% Lecithin 8 Sunflower Oil 30% Delios V Sunflower oil % between 1 Mark IV 2% Lecithin and 98 68% Sunflower Oil 9 Olive Oil 40% Delios V Olive oil % between 1 and 75 Mark 7 2% Lecithin 58% Olive Oil Rapeseed Oil 35% Delios V Rapeseed oil % between 1 Mark IV 2% Lecithin and 90 63% Rapeseed 11 Garlic flavour 3 0% Delios V Sunflower oil % between 1 Mark IV 2% Lecithin and 9 1. Garlic flavour from 6 1 % Sunflower Oil 3% 7% Garlic 12 Sesame Oil 35% Delios V Sunflower oil % from 0 (to Mark IV 2% Lecithin bring down cost). Sesame oil 3 1% Sunflower Oil from 10 to 80 30% Sesame Oil 2% Sesame flavour 13 Butter flavour 35% Delios V Sunflower oil % from 0 to 97 Mark IV 2% Lecithin (to bring down cost) 60% Sunflower Oil 3% Butter flavour Similar results were attained by substituting Delios S for Delios V. Other oils such as grapeseed and soya oil can be utilised at levels similar to sunflower oil. The lecithin employed in the tests was Emulsified F30 referred to above.

The optimum combinations of column 2 produced very good sprays with only a slight change over a 2 month period.

Table 2.2 - Spray performance of the finger pump at different temperatures:

Sprmay erformance Viscosity (cp) Under 4T Below 12T Above 12T At 200C 7 98% Delios V Jet Good Very good 32 8 Sunflower Oil Jet VeEy good Excellent 52 9 Olive Oil Jet Acceptable Vey good 65 Rapeseed Oil Jet Very good Excellent 53 11 Garlic flavour Jet Good Very good 56 12 Sesame Oil Jet Good Very good 60 13 Butter flavour Jet Good Very good 55 The 98% Delios V sample was also tested below 40C with a Mark IV pump and still showed an acceptable spray.

The 98% Delios V sample was the only combination which would spray using a Calmar Mark II actuator since this pump required a viscosity as close to 30 cp as possible. This variety would make an excellent high temperature cooking spray except that Medium Chain Triglycerides are a very expensive 8 material. The other varieties were too viscous but showed the best spray profiles with the ingredients outlined in Table 2. 1, and the Calmar Mark IV actuator. The optimum viscosity should be below 70 cp (at 20Q although acceptable sprays can still be obtained with ingredient adjustments as outlined in Table 2. 1. The finger pump actuators are less sensitive to viscosity changes than aerosols.

The examples showed only slight changes to spray profile over time. The spray profile for all of the examples showed only slight changes to the spra, performance when subjected to typical summer and winter temperatures, so that no changes would be required to the formulation to account for this. Other formulations with higher levels of vegetable oils would show decreased spra), performance during winter.

The only combination that withstood refrigerator temperatures, of approximately 4'C, and still showed an acceptable spray profile, was the 98% Delios V sample with a Mark IV finger pump actuator although it is anticipated the performance would be similar by substituting Delios S for Delios V. All of the examples showed superior spray profiles to currently available cooking oil compositions.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

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Claims (30)

1. An alcohol free cooking oil composition comprising a vegetable oil and a medium chain triglyceride (as herein defined), the composition being of sprayable viscosity.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the medium chain triglyceride contains a relatively high proportion of caprylic acid and capric acid.

3. A composition according to claim 2 incorporating 5 5 - 7.5 % by volume of caprylic acid and 25-45% by volume of capric acid.

1 1

4. A composition according to any preceding claim for use with aerosol dispensers in which the viscosity of the composition is less than 40 centipoise at 20T.

5. A composition according to claim 4 wherein the viscosity of the composition is around 30 centipoise at 20T.

6. A composition according to any of claims 1 to 3 for use with pump spray devices in which the viscosity of the composition is less than 70 centipo-ise at 20T.

7. An alcohol free cooking oil composition for delivery from an aerosol spray dispenser, the composition comprising a vegetable,-oil and a low viscosity medium chain triglyceride (as herein defined) and having\anscosity of less than 40 centipoise at WC.

8. A composition according to any preceding claim incorporating from 618% of vegetable oil by volume.

9. An alcohol free cooking oil composition for delivery by a finger operated pump spray device, the composition comprising a vegetable oil and a low viscosity medium chain triglyceride (as herein defined) and having a viscosity of less than 70 centipoise at 2TC.

10. A composition according to claim 9 including 55-75% of vegetable oil and 25-45% of medium chain triglycerideby volume.

11. A composition according to any preceding claim including a non-stick agent.

12. A composition according to claim 11 wherein the non-stick agent is lecithin.

13. A composition according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the non-stick agent is present in an amount of 1-7% by volume.

14. A composition according to claim 13 wherein the non-stick agent is present in an amount of about 2% by volume.

15. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein said vegetable oil is selected from rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame seed oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, soya oil, cotton seed oil and corn oil.

16. An alcohol free cooking oil composition in accordance with any of Examples 1 to 6.

17. An alcohol free cooking oil composition in accordance with any of Examples 7 to 13.

18. An aerosol dispenser incorporating an alcohol free cooking oil composition according to any of claims 1 to 5 or any of claims 8 to 16 when dependent on any of claims 1 to 5 and a gas propellant at a pressure of 8 bar or above.

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19. An aerosol dispenser according to claim 18 wherein the dispenser is pressurised to a pressure of about 10 bar.

20. An aerosol dispenser according to claim 18 or 19 wherein said gas propellant is selected from nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or a hydrocarbon gas.

21. An aerosol dispenser incorporating an alcohol free cooking oil composition substantially as hereinbefore described.

22. A method of improving the spray performance of an aerosol dispenser containing a pressurised liquid composition to be dispensed and a propellant gas, comprising pressurising the dispenser to a pressure sufficient to result in dissolving of a proportion of the propellant gas in the liquid composition.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the liquid composition comprises a cooking oil composition.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the cooking oil composition comprises an alcohol free composition according to any of claims 1 to 5 or any of claims 8 to 16 when dependent on any of claims 1 to 5) -

25. A method according to any of claims 22 to 24 wherein the propellant gas is selected from nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or a hydrocarbon gas.

26. A method according to any of claims 22 to 25 wherein the dispenser is pressurised to a pressure of 8 bar or above.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the dispenser is pressurised to a pressure of about 10 bar.

28. A method of improving the spray performance of an aerosol container substantially as hereinbefore described.

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29. A filled aerosol dispenser produced according to the method of any of claims 22 to 28.

30. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.