Low trans‐Fat Spreads and Shortenings from a Catalyst‐Switching Strategy

Low trans fatty acid basestocks suitable for blending with liquid oils to make spreads and shortenings are prepared by using a two‐step hydrogenation process. The first step uses a nickel catalyst to hydrogenate soybean, canola, high‐oleic sunflower, and high‐oleic safflower oils to a predetermined iodine value. At this point in the reaction, the second step commenced. Addition of a platinum catalyst at 80 °C and 73 psi hydrogen pressure allowed for hydrogenation to proceed to iodine values of 40–50. These products had 11–18% trans fatty acid content. These were then blended with soybean oil (5–50% basestock) to give products with bulk properties similar to commercial spreads and shortenings but with about one third the levels of trans fat.