Microstructure and fractal analysis of fat crystal networks

Abstract

Abstract This paper reviews the study of the morphology and physical properties of fat crystal networks. Various microscopical and rheological methods can be used to quantify the microstructure of fats, with the ultimate aim of relating structure to mechanical response. Even though a variety of physical models have been proposed to explain the relationship between the mechanical properties of fats and their microstructure, the fractal scaling model most closely describes the experimentally observed behavior. Mass fractal dimensions determined by microscopy and rheology can be used successfully to quantify the microstructure of fats since fractal dimension values are sensitive to the combined effects of crystal size, morphology, and the spatial distribution of mass within the fat crystal network. Methods used to determine the fractal dimension of a fat crystal network such as box counting, particle counting. Fourier transform, light scattering and oil migration are explained in detail here. The relationship between fractal dimensions determined by microscopy and rheology are discussed in light of the fact that different measures of the fractal dimension describe different microstructural features in a fat crystal network.