Bulk lecithin powder is an important phospholipid compound. It is widely found in the cell membranes of plants and animals and has good biological activity and nutritional value. Phosphatidylcholine bulk powder is widely used in the fields of food, health products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. With its special chemical structure, the stability of phosphatidylcholine is easily affected by the external environment. Therefore, how to store phosphatidylcholine scientifically to ensure its stability is crucial.
Chemical Properties And Stability Influencing Factors Of Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine molecule consists of glycerol, fatty acid, phosphoric acid and choline. The unsaturated fatty acid part of its molecular structure is easy to oxidise. The phosphate bond is easily hydrolysed under acidic conditions. Therefore, phosphatidylcholine is susceptible to degradation by oxygen, light, temperature and humidity during storage.
1. Oxidation reaction:
The unsaturated fatty acid chains in the phosphatidylcholine molecule are susceptible to attack by oxygen. This results in an oxidation reaction and the formation of peroxides. This process can lead to an increase in the acidity of the product, a decrease in quality, or even the formation of hazardous substances.
2. Hydrolysis:
The phosphate bond in bulk lecithin powder tends to break at high temperatures and in acidic or alkaline environments. This leads to the hydrolysis of glycerophosphate and choline. This reaction not only reduces the biological activity of phosphatidylcholine but also affects its functional properties.
3. Light effects:
Exposure to high-energy light, such as ultraviolet light, can trigger free radical reactions in phosphatidylcholine, leading to destruction of the molecular structure and increased oxidation.
4. Temperature:
At high temperatures, the molecular movement of phosphatidylcholine is intensified. The rate of oxidation and hydrolysis reactions increases significantly, thus accelerating its degradation.
5. Humidity effects:
High humidity environment will promote the hydrolysis reaction of phosphatidylcholine, resulting in a decrease in the stability of the product. At the same time, humid environment may also lead to the growth of moulds and other microorganisms, further affecting the quality of the product.
Storage conditions of Phosphatidylcholine
To maintain the stability of soy lecithin bulk, storage conditions should be chosen to minimise its exposure to the above factors. Below are a few key recommendations for the storage of phosphatidylcholine:
1. Low temperature storage:
Phosphatidylcholine should be stored at low temperatures to slow down the rate of oxidation and hydrolysis reactions. Typically, storing it under refrigeration at 2-8°C can effectively extend its shelf life. For products with special requirements, even frozen storage can be considered.
2. Store away from light:
Light accelerates the oxidation of bulk lecithin powder. Therefore, exposure to sunlight or strong light should be avoided as much as possible. It is recommended that phosphatidylcholine be stored in light-proof containers, such as dark glass bottles or opaque plastic bottles, to protect it from UV rays.
3. Sealed storage:
Oxygen in the air is the main factor that triggers the oxidation of sunflower lecithin powder bulk. Therefore storage should ensure that the container is airtight. Packages can be filled with nitrogen or inert gas to reduce the amount of oxygen residue. In addition, vacuum packaging is an effective storage method that significantly reduces the risk of oxidation.
4. Dry environment:
High humidity promotes the hydrolysis reaction of lecithin powder bulk, so it should be stored in a dry environment. The relative humidity of the storage room should be controlled at less than 50%. This prevents moisture from adsorbing into the product. In addition, desiccant can be added to the package to reduce the humidity further.
5. Selection of suitable packaging materials:
The choice of packaging material directly affects the stability of soy lecithin bulk. Packaging materials should have good barrier properties, antioxidant properties and light avoidance properties. For example, aluminium foil bag, polyester composite film and other materials can effectively block oxygen, water vapour and light to maintain the stability of phosphatidylcholine.
Precautions in the storage of phosphatidylcholine
1. Periodic inspection:
Even under suitable storage conditions, phosphatidylcholine may still degrade over time. Therefore, check the appearance, odour, acid value and other indicators of the stored product regularly to ensure its stable quality.
2. Small batch storage:
To reduce the exposure time and risk of degradation of phosphatidylcholine, it is recommended to store it in small batches and try to use it up in one go when using it to avoid multiple openings that may lead to the intrusion of oxygen and moisture.
3. Prevent cross-contamination:
The environment in which bulk lecithin powder is stored should be kept clean to prevent the entry of external contaminants such as odours, dust and microorganisms. Meanwhile, Phosphatidylcholine should not be stored together with volatile and oxidisable substances to avoid cross-contamination.
4. Avoid frequent handling:
Phosphatidylcholine should be stored in such a way that frequent handling should be avoided as far as possible, in order to prevent package breakage or seal failure due to external force. At the same time, the handling process should be light, to avoid the impact of violent vibration on the structure of the product.
5. Shelf life management:
The shelf life of phosphatidylcholine may vary from one production batch to another. Therefore, it should be labelled and classified according to the date of production for management during storage. Priority should be given to the use of products that are about to expire to reduce inventory backlog and waste.
Studies on the effect of storage conditions on the stability of phosphatidylcholine
Several studies have shown that suitable storage conditions can significantly extend the shelf life of phosphatidylcholine and maintain its functional properties. For example, one study compared the stability of phosphatidylcholine under different temperature, humidity and light conditions. A low-temperature, dry, and light-protected storage environment can effectively reduce its oxidation and hydrolysis reactions and slow down the degradation of the product.
In addition, some studies have explored the effects of different packaging materials on the stability of phosphatidylcholine. Studies have shown that high-barrier materials such as aluminium foil pouches and vacuum packaging can significantly reduce the intrusion of oxygen and moisture, thus better protecting the stability of the product.
The storage of lecithin bulk powder is an important link to ensure its product quality and functional properties. Scientific and reasonable storage methods can effectively slow down the oxidation and hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine and extend its shelf life. By choosing suitable storage temperature, humidity and packaging materials. And pay attention to daily storage management. This can be able to maintain the stability of phosphatidylcholine to the maximum extent.
With the continuous expansion of the application scope of bulk lecithin powder. The research on its storage stability will also be more in-depth and diversified. By continuously optimising the storage conditions and packaging technology, the quality assurance ability of phosphatidylcholine can be further improved, providing a more solid foundation for the research and development and production of various products. Guanjie Biotech has different forms lecithin bulk powder. If you are interested in our products, please send us info@gybiotech.com.
