IIT Kgp develops low-cost vegetable oil powder

The innovation has already been patented and is ready for commercialization at low costs

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur (Kgp) have developed a novel formula for a vegetable oil powder to keep the heart healthy. 

The innovation, led by the Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering involved tailoring vegetable oils through the preparation of oil blends which are inherently endowed with natural antioxidants as well as well-balanced fatty acids.

The researchers believe that the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) rich oil powder will find extensive use in replacing dairy fat in bakeries and confectionaries. Another critical area the researchers have addressed is the susceptibility of PUFA-rich vegetable oil to rancidity and reduced shelf-life under severe environmental conditions.

The innovation has already been patented and is ready for commercialization at low costs.

“Even after seven decades nutritious and healthy food are seen as lifestyle products due to affordability issue and lack of awareness. But under the holistic approach in the present scenario, we must remove this bias which is a toll on the health of millions in this country. This product answers this call by making available PUFA and antioxidant-rich vegetable oil for mass-scale consumption by large sections of the population especially in the lower-income groups, who are otherwise forced to buy oil with saturated fats due to their low prices”, said Prof Virendra Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur.