Effects of vegetable oil and ethylcellulose on the oleogel properties and its application in Harbin red sausage

Improved physicochemical properties of bigels produced with ethyl cellulose-based oleogel and moderately deacetylated konjac glucomannan hydrogel

The ideal physicochemical properties of bigels are important for food applications. Therefore, a new bigel was prepared based on mixed beef tallow and soybean oil oleogel and deacetylated konjac glucomannan (KGM) hydrogel. The effect of the deacetylation degree of KGM on the physicochemical properties and microstructure of bigels was studied. The bigel containing moderate deacetylation degree of KGM had better rheological properties and hardness (319.84 g) than that with low and high deacetylation degrees of KGM. The interactions among the bigel components were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation, indicating that the formation of the bigels was dominated by electrostatic interactions. Overall, the bigels containing moderate deacetylation degree of KGM had better physical properties, which may provide a theoretical foundation to develop bigels with low cholesterol, trans and saturated fats levels to replace traditional solid fats in food industry.

Influence of beeswax-based fish oil oleogels on the mechanism of water and oil retention in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) meat emulsion gels: Filling, emulsification and phase transition

Oleogels have been used in the gelled surimi products to replace animal fats due to its structure characteristics. The effect of structure characteristics in fish oil oleogels on the mechanism of oil/water retention was investigated in meat emulsions. Beeswax assembly improved the oil and water retention. The unsaturation degree of fatty acids lowered the mobility of bound water, immobilized water as well as bound fat in the fish oil oleogel, but enhanced the mobility of free water and protons of unsaturated fatty acids. Beeswax addition and oil phase characteristics could enhance β-sheets, disulfide bonds and hydrophobic force to improve the viscoelasticity, gel strength and oil/water retention. Beeswax assembly facilitated the tight micro-sol network and filling effect, and high unsaturation degree promoted the emulsification effect, thus reducing phase transition temperature and juice loss. The study could lay the foundation for development of gelled shrimp meat products with EPA and DHA.

Composite-structure oleogels constructed by glycerol monolaurate and whey protein isolate: Preparation, characterization and in vitro digestion

The Glycerol monolaurate (GML) oleogel was induced using Camellia oil by slowly raising the temp to the melting point (MP) of GML. Whey protein isolate (WPI) solution with different ratios was composited with GML oleogel by emulsion template methods, forming dense spines and honeycomb-like networks and impressed with an adjustable composite structure. Textural results showed that compared with single GML-based oleogels, the GML/WPI composite oleogels had the advantages of high hardness and molding, and structural stability. The composite oleogels had moderate thermal stability and maximal oil binding (96.36%). In particular, as up to 6 wt% GML/WPI, its modulus apparent viscosity was significantly increased in rheology and similar to commercial fats. Moreover, it achieved the highest release of FFA (64.07%) and the synergy provided a lipase substrate and reduced the body's burden. The resulting composite oleogel also showed intermolecular hydrogen bonding and van der Waals force interactions. These findings further enlarge the application in the plant and animal-based combined of fat substitutes, delivery of bioactive molecules, etc., with the desired physical and functional properties according to different proportions.

The Impact of Beeswax and Glycerol Monolaurate on Camellia Oil Oleogel's Formulation and Application in Food Products

This study assessed the nutritional profile of camellia oil through its fatty acid composition, highlighting its high oleic acid content (81.4%), followed by linoleic (7.99%) and palmitic acids (7.74%), demonstrating its excellence as an edible oil source. The impact of beeswax (BW) and glycerol monolaurate (GML) on camellia oil oleogels was investigated, revealing that increasing BW or GML concentrations enhanced hardness and springiness, with 10% BW oleogel exhibiting the highest hardness and springiness. FTIR results suggested that the structure of the oleogels was formed by interactions between molecules without altering the chemical composition. In biscuits, 10% BW oleogel provided superior crispness, expansion ratio, texture, and taste, whereas GML imparted a distinct odor. In sausages, no significant differences were observed in color, water retention, and pH between the control and replacement groups; however, the BW group scored higher than the GML group in the sensory evaluation. The findings suggest that the BW oleogel is an effective fat substitute in biscuits and sausages, promoting the application of camellia oil in food products.

Effect of γ-oryzanol/β-sitosterol-based oleogels on the physicochemical and gel properties of Nemipterus virgatus myofibrillar protein

BACKGROUND

The effect of oleogels prepared with peanut oil and different concentrations of γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol mixture (γ/β; 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 g kg-1) on the physicochemical and gel properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) was investigated.

RESULTS

The solubility and average particle size of MP first decreased and then increased with increasing γ/β concentration. Peanut oil or oleogels could induce the exposure of hydrophobic amino acids and the unfolding of MP, thus significantly increasing the surface hydrophobicity, sulfhydryl content and absolute value of zeta potential, which reached maximum values when the γ/β concentration was 60 g kg-1 (P < 0.05). The addition of peanut oil decreased the gel strength and water holding capacity of MP gel. However, oleogels prepared with 60 g kg-1 γ/β could significantly increase the hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bond content of MP gel (P < 0.05), which promoted the crosslinking and aggregation of MP, enhancing the gel properties. Peanut oil had no significant influence on the secondary structure of MP, while oleogels promoted the transition of MP conformation from α-helix to β-sheet structure. The results of light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that oleogels prepared with 60 g kg-1 γ/β filled in the pores of MP gel network to form denser and more uniform structure.

CONCLUSION

Oleogels prepared with 60 g kg-1 γ/β could effectively improve the quality of MP gel and have promising application prospects in surimi products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development and Characterization of Ethylcellulose Oleogels Based on Pumpkin Seed Oil and Rapeseed Oil

In contrast to rapeseed oil, pumpkin seed oil has yet to be well investigated in terms of oleogelation, and, to the best of our knowledge, no study related to the use of ethylcellulose (EC) in the structuring of this oil has been identified in the current scientific literature. Therefore, the present study evaluated several oleogels formulated with EC as the oleogelator in different concentrations of 7% (OG7) and 9% (OG9), based on cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil (PO) and refined rapeseed oil (RO), as well as on mixtures of the two oils in different combinations: PO:RO (3:1) (PRO) and PO:RO (1:1) (RPO). Physicochemical properties such as visual appearance, gel formation time (GFT), oil-binding capacity (OBC), oxidative and thermal stability, and textural characteristics were analyzed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) were used in the statistical analysis of the data, with a significance level of p < 0.05. EC proved to be an effective structuring agent of the mentioned edible oils; the type of oils and the concentration of oleogelator significantly influenced the characteristics of the obtained oleogels. The 9% EC oleogels exhibited a more rigid structure, with a higher OBC and a reduced GFT. Pumpkin seed oil led to more stable oleogels, while the mixture of pumpkin seed oil with rapeseed oil caused a significant reduction in their mechanical properties and decreased the OBC. After 14 days of storage, all oleogels demonstrated proper oxidative stability within the bounds set by international regulations for edible fats, regardless of the kind of oil and EC concentration. All of the oleogels showed a higher oxidative stability than the oils utilized in their formulation; however, those prepared with cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil indicated a lower level of lipid oxidation among all oleogels. The P-OG9 and PR-OG9 oleogels, which mainly included PO and contained 9% EC, demonstrated the optimum levels of quality in texture, GFT, OBC, and oxidative stability.

A comprehensive review: Impact of oleogel application on food texture and sensory properties

Oleogels, characterized by their semisolid matrix formed from liquid oil structured by gelators, are emerging as a pivotal innovation in food formulation, primarily due to their capacity to enhance the nutritional profile of products by incorporating healthier fats. This review explored the integration of oleogels into diverse food matrices, examining their impact on texture, mouthfeel, and overall sensory characteristics. Through an extensive analysis of current research, this paper illustrates the versatility of oleogels created with a variety of structuring agents across different food applications. It also addresses the challenges inherent in the use of oleogels, including the preservation of their stability and consistency through varying storage and processing conditions, navigating the regulatory landscape concerning oleogelator safety and acceptability, and confronting higher production costs. Overall, this comprehensive review highlights the potential of oleogels as a promising tool for achieving desirable textural and sensory attributes in food products while also identifying areas for future research and development.

Emulsified sausages with yeast protein as an animal fat replacer: Effects on nutritional composition, spatial structure, gel performance, and sensory quality

This paper investigated the effect of yeast protein (YP)-fat replacement on the nutritional composition, spatial structure, gel performance, and sensory quality of emulsified sausages. YP is enriched with essential amino acids (36.49 g/100 g), which improved the nutritional quality of sausages whereas reducing its fat content. Moreover, YP could absorb water and fat, thus the YP-added sausages exhibiting an amount-dependent increase in emulsion stability and water migration. The microstructure illustrated that YP acted as a filler to improve structural homogeneity and compactness of the pork gel network. And YP-fat replacement could significantly enhance the hardness, gel strength and elasticity of sausages whereas decreasing the viscosity. Additionally, at partial or full YP-fat replacement (25-100%), the YP-added sausages scored higher in odor and texture, as well as better antioxidant stability than controls. Overall, YP can be employed as a new fat substitute for the preparation of healthy and nutritional sausages, while maintaining the sensory quality.

Oleogels as a Promising Alternative to Animal Fat in Saturated Fat-Reduced Meat Products: A Review

The surge in chronic diseases is closely linked to heightened levels of saturated and trans fatty acids in processed foods, particularly meat products. Addressing this concern, various strategies have been employed to alleviate the impact of these detrimental fats. Among these, oleogels have emerged as a novel and promising approach in the food industry. As restructured fat systems, oleogels offer a unique opportunity to enhance the nutritional profile of meat products while providing distinct health and environmental advantages. This comprehensive review explores the transformative role of oleogels as innovative substitutes for traditional animal fats in a variety of meat products. Utilizing materials such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), sterols, beeswax, γ-oryzanol, β-sitosterol, and others, oleogels have been investigated in diverse studies. The examination encompasses their impact on the textural, nutritional, and oxidative dimensions of meat patties, pork patties, pork liver pâtés, beef heart patties, and meat batters. An in-depth exploration is undertaken into the influence of various elements, including the type of oil, gelling agents, and processing methods, on the stability and physicochemical attributes of oleogels. Additionally, the paper scrutinizes the potential effects of oleogels on sensory attributes, texture, and the shelf life of meat products. In conclusion, this collective body of research emphasizes the versatility and efficacy of oleogels as viable replacements for traditional animal fats across a spectrum of meat products. The documented improvements in nutritional quality, oxidative stability, and sensory attributes pave the way for the development of healthier and more sustainable formulations in the meat industry.

Edible polysaccharide-based oleogels and novel emulsion gels as fat analogues: A review

Polysaccharide-based oleogels and emulsion gels have become novel strategies to replace solid fats due to safe and plentiful raw material, healthier fatty acid composition, controllable viscoelasticity, and more varied nutrition/flavor embedding. Recently, various oleogelation techniques and novel emulsion gels have been reported further to enrich the potential of polysaccharides in oil structuring, in which a crucial step is to promote the formation of polysaccharide networks determining gel properties through different media. Meanwhile, polysaccharide-based oleogels and emulsion gels have good oil holding, nutrient/flavor embedding, and 3D food printability, and their applications as fat substitutes have been explored in foods. This paper comprehensively reviews the types, preparation methods, and mechanisms of various polysaccharide-based oleogels and emulsion gels; meanwhile, the food applications and new trends of polysaccharide-based gels are discussed. Moreover, some viewpoints about potential developments and application challenges of polysaccharide-based gels are mentioned. In the future, polysaccharide-based gels may be flexible materials for customized nutritional foods and molecular gastronomy. However, it is still a challenge to select the appropriate oleogels or emulsion gels to meet the requirements of the products. Once this issue is addressed, oleogels and emulsion gels are anticipated to be used widely.

Macadamia oil-based oleogels as cocoa butter alternatives: Physical properties, oxidative stability, lipolysis, and application

In this study, macadamia oil-based oleogels were prepared using monoglyceride stearate (MG) as a gelator with a low critical gelation concentration (3.0 wt%). The physical properties of the oleogels were evaluated by polarized light microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, texture and rheological analysis. And the lipid digestion and oxidative stability of the macadamia oil were determined by pH titration and accelerated oxidation test, respectively. The results showed that the hardness, oil binding capacity, and thermal stability of the oleogels increased with increasing MG concentration, which was attributed to the formation of a network of MG crystals held together by van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds. Rheological analysis indicated that all the oleogels exhibited a thermally reversible solid-to-liquid transition and viscoelastic behavior at ambient temperatures. Moreover, the formation of oleogels increased fatty acid release during in vitro lipid digestion and improved the oxidative stability of the macadamia oil. In addition, the potential application of these oleogels as replacements for saturated fats in foods was demonstrated by creating a chocolate product where the cocoa butter was replaced with macadamia oil-based oleogels with a high degree of unsaturation. These results can provide guidance for the preparation of macadamia oil-based oleogels, which may increase their application in foods.

The oxidative quality of bi-, oleo- and emulgels and their bioactives molecules delivery

During recent years, the applicability of bi-, oleo- and emulgels has been widely studied, proving several advantages as compared to conventional fats, such as increasing the unsaturated fat content of products and being more sustainable for temperate regions as compared to tropical fats. Moreover, these alternative fat systems improve the nutritional profile, increase the bioavailability of bioactive compounds, and can be used as preservation films and markers for the inactivation of pathogens, while in 3D printing facilitate the obtaining of superior food products. Furthermore, bi-, oleo- and emulgels offer food industries efficient, innovative, and sustainable alternatives to animal fats, shortenings, margarine, palm and coconut oil due to the nutritional improvements. According to recent studies, gels can be used as ingredients for the total or partial replacement of saturated and trans fats in the meat, bakery and pastry industry. The evaluation of the oxidative quality of this gelled systems is significant because the production process involves the use of heat treatments and continuous stirring where large amounts of air can be incorporated. The aim of this literature review is to provide a synthesis of studies to better understand the interaction of components and to identify future improvements that can be applied in oil gelling technology. Generally, higher temperatures used in obtaining polymeric gels, lead to more oxidation compounds, while a higher concentration of structuring agents leads to a better protection against oxidation. Due to the gel network ability to function as a barrier against oxidation factors, gelled matrices are able to provide superior protection for the bioactive compounds. The release percentage of bioactive molecules can be regulated by formulating the gel matrix (type and concentration of structuring agents and type of oil). In terms of food products, future research may include the use of antioxidants to improve the oxidative stability of the reformulated products.