Comparative Study of Table Margarine Prepared from Moringa oleifera Seed Oil‐Palm Stearin Blend and Commercial Margarines: Composition, Thermal, and Textural Properties

This study aims to produce an oleic acid‐rich table margarine from Moringa oleifera seed oil (MoO)‐palm stearin (PS) blend (70:30, w/w) and compare its composition, thermal behavior, and textural properties during storage with those of commercial margarines (CM1 and CM2). The major fatty acid in MoO/PS blend, CM1 and CM2 is oleic acid (67.85%, 38.54%, and 35.35%, respectively). Hence, many of their triacylglycerols are derived from the acid. MoO/PS blend has a higher complete melting temperature (43.50 °C) compared to CM1 (35.50 °C) and CM2 (35.53 °C). The solid fat content (SFC) of MoO/PS blend at 10 °C (28.7%) is lower than CM1 (32%) and CM2 (68.4%). However, the MoO/PS blend has a higher SFC (6.47%) at 35 °C compared to CMs. At 20 °C, the viscosity of experimental blend margarine (EBM) decreases but CM1 and CM2 increase at the end of the storage study. After 8 weeks of storage, all margarines are harder and CM2 is the hardest. The adhesiveness of EMB and CM2 is similar to the fresh samples while CM1 is more adhesive after storage. In short, it is possible to produce an oleic acid‐enriched margarine from MoO/PS blend that has better textural properties. Practical Applications: Moringa oleifera seed oil is one of the superior oils that contains high levels of oleic acid. However, its high iodine value and low melting point limit its application in the production of margarine. This study shows that direct blending of M. oleifera seed oil with palm stearin could produce margarine with high oleic acid contents and better textural properties in terms of viscosity, hardness, and adhesiveness. The informative data provide supporting evidence for blending of M. oleifera seed oil with palm stearin to produce margarine that could overcome the issues that hinder the M. oleifera seed oil from being produced into margarine. This study demonstrates the production of a soft oleic acid‐rich table margarine from the blend of Moringa oleifera seed oil and palm stearin. The margarine has high oleic acid content from M. oleifera seed oil and, thus, most of the triacylglycerols of the margarine contain oleic acid. The study also shows that M. oleifera seed oil‐palm stearin blend margarine possesses better textural properties, including viscosity, hardness, and adhesiveness, compared to those of commercial margarines selected for the study.