The effect of lauric‐based molecules on trilaurin crystallization

The crystal growth of trilaurin and the effect of partial laurates upon it have been investigated by using temperature gradient microscopy with differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. The complex nature of trilaurin crystallization was demonstrated. It was found that the addition of monolaurin and lauric acid increased the crystal growth rate of trilaurin but decreased the facet and crystal size. Conversely, there was a significant reduction in growth rate upon the addition of dilaurin isomers. Crystal morphology was also altered, and the relative stability of the metastable phases was increased. The growth rate was lower for a sample containing 1–3 dilaurin than for one containing 1–2 dilaurin. It is postulated that the varying effects are caused by the varying sizes and shapes of the additive molecules.