News Review: Lipid Technology May 2014

In May 2014, several developments in the field of lipid technology were reported. Stepan Company introduced a new vegetable oil-derived surfactant, STEPOSOL MET-10U, for cleaning applications. Evogene's subsidiary Evofuel and SLC Agrícola SA planned to start commercial production of high oil-yielding castor varieties for biofuel by 2016. Fonterra began construction of a dairy plant in Indonesia and a Dairy Exchange Centre in China. Improved lipid analysis methods were announced, including a modified AOCS method and a new LC-MS/MS method for Vitamin D3 in milk. The FDA considered removing GRAS status from partially hydrogenated oils. Algatechnologies invested in expanding astaxanthin production, Dyadic International joined an EU cosmetics project, and Frutarom launched new omega-3 oils. Despite progress in sustainable palm oil production, controversies persisted. Campden BRI's research showed potential for reducing saturated fat in bakery products using alginate from seaweed. Greek olive oil producers were concerned about a proposal to blend local olive oil with other vegetable oils. Evonik received awards for its Sphingony product for androgenic alopecia and introduced a new solubilizer, TEGO Solve 61. KeyGene announced development agreements for optimizing rubber production from dandelion strains.