Inulin-based emulsion filled gel as fat replacer in shortbread cookies: Effects during storage

Biopolymer-based emulsion gels as fat replacers: A review of their design, fabrication, and applications

Excessive intake of fat has been linked to a variety of diet-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. At the same time, fat provides calories and nutrients to the human body, as well as impacting the appearance, taste, texture, and palatability of foods. Consequently, it is not feasible to simply remove fats from food, without adversely affecting their nutritional, functional, and sensory properties. Emulsion gels are colloidal viscoelastic materials that can be used to mimic the appearance, taste, texture, and other properties of fats, while still providing valuable fat-soluble nutrients, like vitamins and nutraceuticals. In this article, we review the design and preparation of emulsion gels based on different food-grade biopolymers, including proteins, polysaccharides, and their complexes. In addition, we discuss how structural design principles can be used to create emulsion gels that exhibit a diverse range of different properties. The potential applications of emulsion gels as fat replacers in different kinds of foods are briefly summarized. When properly designed, emulsion gels can convert healthy plant-based liquid oils into semi-solid plastic fats that can mimic many of the rheological characteristics of animal fats. In conclusion, emulsion gels provide an effective approach for designing healthier and more nutritious low-fat foods.

Application of fat replacers in low-fat starch-based foods: Type, formulation and action mechanism on food quality

Fat is an essential component in the processing of starch-based products. However, excessive fat intake is not beneficial to human health. Therefore, the development of fat replacers (FRs) and healthy and delicious low-fat starch-based products has become a research focus. The regulation mechanisms of fat on the quality of starch-based products, and types and formulations of FRs used in starch-based products were summarized. Based on the interaction with starch, the regulation mechanism of FRs on the quality of starch-based products and main quality evaluation parameters of low-fat starch-based products formed by these FRs were discussed. Oil-free systems (particles, polymers, hydrocolloids) and oil-containing systems (emulsions, emulsion gels, oleogels) are the main FRs used in starch-based foods. Their formulations depend mainly on the interaction between the components (polysaccharides, proteins and fats). Regulation mechanisms of FRs on the quality of starch-based products are mainly due to that their addition changes the structure, physicochemical and functional properties of starch. Microstructure, textural, rheological and tribological properties, sensory evaluation, fat digestion and calories, and nutrition are main elements of quality evaluation of low-fat starch-based products containing FRs. Next, it is necessary to systematically explore the regulation mechanism of FRs with different structures and properties on the quality of starch-based products based on molecular simulation and machine learning. More interdisciplinary collaborations, such as molecular chemistry, nutrition and nanotechnology, need to be used to guide the design of FRs and the development of low-fat starch-based products.

Rheological properties, microstructure, and encapsulation efficiency of inulin-type dietary fiber-based gelled emulsions at different concentrations

Gelled emulsion systems offer promising matrices for encapsulating bioactive compounds, enhancing stability, bioavailability, and controlled release. Incorporating inulin-type dietary fibers into emulsion-filled gels can innovate food products. This study explored the impact of inulin concentration (0-15 % w/w) on visual aspect, microstructure, particle size distribution, creaming stability, rheological behavior, and encapsulation efficiency of emulsions and gelled emulsions with clove bud oil rich in eugenol. Regardless of inulin concentration, systems exhibited evenly distributed small oil droplets, ensuring good creaming stability. Emulsions with 10-15 % inulin formed gels upon natural cooling to approximately 30 °C. Viscoelastic properties varied with inulin concentration, attributed to increased polymer chain approximation and mobility. Higher inulin content decreased the transition temperature (66 °C, 56 °C, and 54 °C for 10 %, 12.5 %, and 15 % inulin, respectively). While inulin did not enhance creaming stability, it acted as a physical barrier, improving encapsulation efficiency of eugenol to nearly 100 %. Inulin-based emulsion-filled gels offer potential for functional food development, enriching nutritional value and health benefits.

Unlocking the potential of rice bran oil body as fat replacement in cookies: single and double crosslinked binary emulsion-filled gels based on lutein-loaded rice bran oil body emulsion

BACKGROUND

Rice bran oil body is rich in nutritional value, which is a byproduct of rice processing. The aim of this study is to develop a novel emulsion-filled gel with lutein-loaded rice bran oil body and investigate its functionality as a fat replacer in cookies. The effects of incorporating structured oil body in the form of emulsion-filled gel instead of butter in cookies with a ratio of 0, 10, 20 and 50 wt% formulation were determined by measuring appearance, texture, thermodynamic properties, moisture distribution and microstructure.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated the relationship between geometry, moisture and structure. The 20 wt% emulsion-filled gel substitution ratio yielded mobility and distribution abilities of melted fat and sugar in the cookies that were closest to those of butter. The addition of emulsion-filled gel increased the L* value and decreased the a* value, while the b* value of the cookie increased due to the advanced delivery of lutein by oil body. By controlling the addition ratio, the texture of the cookies can be adjusted. Starch granules were separated due to colloidal particles, reducing saturated fat content and decreasing cookie gelatinization enthalpy. The fat coating on starch particles enhanced the binding capacity of free water, improving air entrapment and forming a constrained gluten network structure.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide a theoretical basis for rice bran oil body as a novel substitute for butter in the development of healthy, high-quality cookies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Protein-based Emulsion Hydrogels and Their Application in the Development of Sustainable Food Products

Consumers have become more conscious of their diet, resulting in an increased demand for low-calorie and nutrient-rich food. Therefore, finding alternative ways to develop food products with improved nutritional values has become necessary without compromising the textural and sensorial properties. In the last few years, emulsion gels have gained much popularity for oil structuring, delivery of bioactive compounds, and development of nutritious food products. Protein-stabilized emulsion hydrogels have the most significant potential to be utilized in the food industry as they contain natural ingredients that help with clean label tags. Different gelation methods can be used to fabricate emulsion gels depending on the requirements of end products. Emulsion hydrogels' rheological, textural, mechanical, and structural properties can be modified by altering their composition, oil concentration, gelation method, and gelling environment, such as pH, temperature, etc. This review addresses using protein-based emulsion gels to develop novel food products with reduced-calorie and nutrition-rich content.

Novel bigel based on nanocellulose hydrogel and monoglyceride oleogel: Preparation, characteristics and application as fat substitute

In the present study, bigels containing nanocellulose hydrogel and monoglyceride oleogel were prepared as a novel fat substitute. The nanocellulose was derived from chestnut shells via TEMPO oxidation, resulting a yield of 59.6 %. The impact of varying the oleogel/hydrogel ratio on the macroscopic and microscopic structures, chemical interactions, and the textural, thermal and rheological properties of the bigels was explored. As the hydrogel content increased from 20 % to 50 %, the average droplet diameter in the bigels increased. The bigels transitioned from a water-in-oil structure to a bi-continuous structure, and the textural hardness, cohesiveness, and rheological properties improved significantly. Shortbread cookies were prepared by incorporating different proportions of the bigels to replace animal butter as shortening, and the color, spreadability, hardness and baking loss rate of cookies were analyzed. The result showed that replacing butter with bigels in cookie preparation could reduce fat content without significantly altering the appearance or properties of the cookies. These prepared bigel have the potential to serve as a healthy and sustainable solid fat substitute in the food industry.

Development and characterization of tilapia skin collagen-inulin oleogel as the potential fat substitute in beef patty formulations

The effects of inulin addition, olive oil content, and ultrasonic treatment on the rheological, texture, and structural properties of collagen-based oleogels were investigated in this study. Furthermore, the fat substitution ability of the oleogel in low-fat beef patties was evaluated. Initially, a uniform and dense network cross-linked structure was found when the ratio of collagen to inulin complex was 1:5. The oleogel sample exhibited good stability and oil binding ability with an additional amount of 50 % olive oil. Ultrasonic treatment improved the stability of the oleogel structure in all samples. Additionally, the addition of inulin reduced cooking loss in beef patties. Beef patties prepared at a 50 % fat substitution level showed physical properties that were the least different from those of pure adipose tissue (control group), which could significantly reduce the content of saturated fatty acids and improve the storage stability of beef patties. This study provided guidance for the application of collagen-inulin oleogel in food processing.

Low-Calorie Cookies Enhanced with Fish Oil-Based Nano-ingredients for Health-Conscious Consumers

This study explored the effectiveness of fish oil (FO)-loaded nanoemulsions, averaging 197 nm in diameter, as fat substitutes in creating low-calorie cookies. The cookies' diameter, thickness, and spread ratio were measured, ranging from 46.33 to 57.15 mm, 6.45 to 7.51 mm, and 6.16 to 8.86, respectively. Notably, cookies containing nanoemulsions exhibited a significant increase in the spread ratio compared to the control. The control sample had the highest hardness value at 43.81 N, while the nanoemulsion group had the lowest at 26.98 N. The energy value, which was 508 kcal/100 g in the control group, decreased to 442 kcal/100 g in the group containing the nanoemulsion. The total n-3 fatty acid content in cookies rose from 0.46% in the control cookies to 3.90% in the cookies containing nanoemulsion. Sensory evaluations showed that cookies containing fish ol-loaded nanoemulsion received the highest scores, indicating that the fat reduction did not compromise the desired ″greasy″ sensation. This is especially noteworthy, as it showed that the fat content could be reduced by half without compromising the sensory quality. Utilizing FO-loaded nanoemulsions as a fat replacement in fat-reduced baked goods could provide valuable insights for other food products. The findings have significant implications for the food industry, suggesting that healthier, low-calorie baked goods can be developed without sacrificing physical quality and texture. This approach can cater to the growing market demand for health-conscious food options, potentially leading to new product innovations and enhanced nutritional profiles in a variety of food products.

Fostering Circular Economy: Brewing By-Products as Innovative Ingredients for Cereal Bar Formulation

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) was used as a sustainable and healthy ingredient in two cereal bar formulations, with honey (H) and chocolate (C) used as the binding systems' characterizing ingredients. The two bars, formulated using three levels of BSG (H1: 8.5%; H2: 12.7%; H3: 21.2%; C1: 3.9%; C2: 7.7%; C3: 15.5%) and stored for 20 days, were studied from a physicochemical perspective and compared to non-enriched control bars. The analysis showed that BSG enriched the bars with minerals, B vitamins, proteins, and fibers, meeting the required contents for the "high fiber" nutritional claim. Moisture content and water activity decreased with increasing BSG quantity and storage time. Higher BSG content increased flexibility in H bars after 7 days, while decreasing water content and increasing hardness in C bars at 1 storage day. Higher BSG levels darkened the samples' color with little change during storage. In addition, a consumer sensory test was conducted. The results showed that providing information on BSG had little impact on liking, purchase intent, and sensory perception. In addition, under blind conditions, H bars were considered more natural and healthier than the C bars; however, these differences were not significant in the informed conditions. This study shows the potential use of upcycled ingredients in cereal bars and highlights the central role of the sensory experience on consumer appreciation, considering also information provision.

Emulsion filled gel with oleogels as oil fraction to enhance nutritional properties of baked products (muffins)

In baked products, such as muffins, the fat reduction to decrease the caloric content is important without detrimental effects on product quality. Among the fat replacers, emulsion-filled gels imply lower fat depending on the oil fraction. The objective of this work was to replace soybean oil in muffins formulation with two different emulsion-filled gels, containing candelilla wax oleogel or ethylcellulose oleogel as oil fraction, to enhance nutritional quality. Colour, texture, crumb quality, moisture, fat, and protein were analysed. Emulsion-filled gels samples resulted in a darker colour, and a more hard and resilient texture, as a reflection of lower cells number developed in crumbs during baking; but there was a lower fat and an increase in protein content. Emulsion-filled gels with candelilla wax as oil fraction are a alternative to decrease caloric content without compromising the energetic values of the foods.

Candelilla Wax and Glycerol Monostearate-Based Oleogels as Animal Fat Substitutes in Bologna Sausages

The aim of this study was to produce Bologna sausages rich in unsaturated fatty acids and to evaluate this replacement on the structural characteristics. For the purpose of a comparative analysis, three different types of sausages were produced, distinct only in the type of fat used: I. sausages obtained with pork backfat (PBF), II. sausages produced with oleogel formed from refined sunflower oil and glycerol monostearate (GM_OG), and III. with candelilla wax oleogel (CW_OG). The meat composition was also analyzed to better understand the process in the dynamics and the finished products were analyzed both uncooked and cooked. The enhanced oil-binding capacity of oleogels suggests their potential value as substitutes for saturated fats (>99%). In terms of meat composition textural analysis, the highest hardness value was registered for PBF_C of 25.23 N, followed by a CW_OG_C of 13.08 N and a GM_OG_C of 12.27 N. However, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness index, and gumminess showed similar values between samples. Reformulation of products with oleogels as a fat source abundant in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in uncooked products exhibiting reduced hardness values of 49.01 N (CW_OG_US) and 40.51 N (GM_OG_US), compared to 65.03 N (PBF_US). Color results of the cross-section color can indicate the potential for consumer acceptance due to the reduced color differences between the conventional and oleogel samples.

Fructan-type prebiotic dietary fibers: Clinical studies reporting health impacts and recent advances in their technological application in bakery, dairy, meat products and beverages

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin are the most used fructans in food manufacturing, including bakery, dairy, meat products and beverages. In this context, this review investigated the recent findings concerning health claims associated with a diet supplemented with fructans according to human trial results. Fructans have been applied in different food classes due to their proven benefits to human health. Human clinical trials have revealed several effects of fructans supplementation on health such as improved glycemic control, growth of beneficial gut bacteria, weight management, positive influence on immune function, and others. These dietary fibers have a wide range of compounds with different molecular sizes, implying a great variety of technological properties depending on the food application of interest. Inulin has been mainly applied as a fat substitute and prebiotic ingredient. In general, inulin reduces the energy content and improves the structure, viscosity, emulsion, and water retention parameters of food products. Meanwhile, FOS have been more successful when used as a sucrose substitute and prebiotic ingredient. However, overall, FOS and inulin are promising alternatives for the development of structured systems dedicated to increase the functionality of foods and beverages besides reducing fat in bakery, dairy, and meat products.

Effect of Soy Wax/Rice Bran Oil Oleogel Replacement on the Properties of Whole Wheat Cookie Dough and Cookies

This study investigated the replacement of butter with soy wax (SW)/rice bran oil (RBO) oleogel in varied proportions in cookie dough and the resulting cookies. The study mainly evaluates the physical, textural, and chemical properties of the butter cookie dough and cookies by replacing butter with SW/RBO oleogel. The dough was assessed using moisture analysis, microscopy, FTIR Spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared) and impedance spectroscopies, and texture analysis. Micrographs of the dough showed that D-50 (50% butter + 50% oleogel) had an optimal distribution of water and protein. D-0 (control sample containing 100% butter) showed the lowest impedance values. Moisture content ranged between 23% and 25%. FTIR spectroscopy suggested that D-50 exhibited a consistent distribution of water and protein, which CLSM and brightfield microscopy supported. Texture analysis revealed that the dough samples exhibited predominantly fluidic behavior. As the amount of oleogel was raised, the dough became firmer. The prepared cookies showed a brown periphery and light-colored center. Further, a corresponding increase in surface cracks was observed as the oleogel content was increased. Cookies moisture analysis revealed a range between 11 and 15%. Minute changes were observed in the texture and dimensions of the cookies. In summary, it can be concluded that replacing butter with oleogel by up to 50% seems to be feasible without significantly compromising the physicochemical properties of cookie dough and cookies.

Evaluation of high oleic sunflower oil oleogels with beeswax, beeswax-glyceryl monopalmitate, and beeswax-Span80 in cookie preparation

BACKGROUND

Shortening is used widely in cookie preparation to improve quality and texture. However, large amounts of saturated and trans fatty acids present in shortening have adverse effects on human health, and much effort has been made to reduce the use of shortening. The use of oleogels might be a suitable alternative. In this study, the oleogels of high oleic sunflower oil with beeswax (BW), BW-glyceryl monopalmitate (BW-GMP), and BW-Span80 (BW-S80) were prepared and their suitability to replace shortening in cookie preparation was evaluated.

RESULTS

The solid fat content of BW, BW-GMP, and BW-S80 oleogels was significantly lower than that of commercial shortening when the temperature was not higher than 35 °C. However, the oil-binding capacity of these oleogels was almost similar to that of shortening. The crystals in the shortening and oleogels were β' form mainly; however, the morphology of crystal aggregates in these oleogels was different from that of shortening. The textural and rheological properties of doughs prepared with the oleogels were similar, and clearly different from those of dough with commercial shortening. The breaking strengths of cookies made with oleogels were lower than that of cookies prepared with shortening. However, cookies containing BW-GMP and BW-S80 oleogels were similar in density and color to those prepared with shortening.

CONCLUSION

The textural properties and color of cookies with BW-GMP and BW-S80 oleogels were very similar to those of the cookies containing commercial shortening. The BW-GMP and BW-S80 oleogels could act as alternatives to shortening in the preparation of cookies. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development of an Emulsion Gel Containing Peanut Sprout Oil as a Fat Replacer in Muffins: Physicochemical, Tomographic, and Texture Properties

Peanut sprouts are known to increase their resveratrol content during germination, leading to cultivation in smart farms. Recently, peanut sprout oil extraction and sales have gained traction; however, processed foods utilizing peanut sprout oil have yet to be developed. In this study, water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion gels were structured with water, peanut sprout oil (PSO), sorbitan monostearate (SMS), and candelilla wax (CW) in different ratios, and their potential as shortening substitutes in muffins was evaluated on physicochemical and sensory properties. PSO comprised 67% unsaturated fatty acids and had higher phospholipid (17.97%) and resveratrol (15.95 µg/L) contents and antioxidant activity (71.52%) compared to peanut oil. The PSO emulsion gels were physically structured without changing their chemical compositions. The SMS and CW ratios were found to have a significant influence on the textural properties, solid fat content, rheology, and crystallization of the emulsion gels. The viscoelastic properties of the emulsion gels showed a higher storage modulus than loss modulus and increased with increasing gelator content. Muffins prepared with emulsion gels were characterized by a harder texture and larger pore size, while in the case of muffins mixed with a ratio of 25% SMS and 75% CW, there was no significant difference in overall preference of sensory evaluation compared to shortening muffins. Thus, these findings reveal the potential utility of PSO as a fat substitute and indicate that W/O emulsion gels are suitable for producing muffins without a loss of quality.

Hazelnut Skin Waste as a Functional Ingredient to Nutritionally Improve a Classic Shortbread Cookie Recipe

Hazelnut skin (HS) is a byproduct of hazelnut processing (2.5% of total kernel) and becomes a food waste despite its high content of antioxidants, unsaturated fats, and fibers. Classic shortbread cookies have a large worldwide market, even if their nutritional composition does not meet nutritional guidelines due to the high content of saturated fats. In the present study, after the nutritional evaluation of four different HS varieties, 5% and 10% ratios of HS of the Tonda Gentile Romana variety were integrated into a classic shortbread cookie recipe, proportionally replacing the butter amount with the unsaturated fats naturally present in HS. The 10% HS addition determined a 20% increase in the monounsaturated oleic acid and a 15.7% decrease in the saturated palmitic acid, in addition to a significant ash increase. The sensory analysis revealed higher consumer acceptance of the 5% formulation, with scores comparable to the control. Although the 10% formulation obtained lower scores for consumer acceptance, 35% of the interviewed population said they would purchase it, indicating that this product, beyond the ethical dimension of using a food waste matrix to promote the circular economy, can attract the commercial interest of part of the population.

Impact of Combined Thermal Pressure Treatments on Physical Properties and Stability of Whey Protein Gel Emulsions

Emulsion gels are gaining interest as fat replacers due to their benefits associated with calorie reduction and their versatility in a wide range of products. Their production process needs to be tailored to obtain the desired stability and physicochemical properties. This study investigated the effect of heat (70, 80, and 90 °C) and pressure (5, 10, and 15 MPa) to produce whey protein emulsion gels using a pilot-scale tubular heat exchanger equipped with a homogenization valve. Both temperature and pressure determined a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the rheological moduli, with the treated samples displaying a predominant elastic behavior. The treatments also showed an improved pseudoplasticity due to the significant reduction in the flow behavior index (p < 0.05). All the samples showed a bimodal particle size distribution; by increasing the temperature up to 80 °C, a reduction in Dv50 (50th percentile) values compared to the control samples was observed. At 90 °C, the Dv50 value increased because of coalescence and flocculation phenomena occurring during or immediately after processing. The greater aggregation and structural development obtained with stronger process conditions improved the stability of the emulsions. The results show the capability to produce gel emulsions with good physical properties that could be proposed as food ingredients to substitute fats in food products.

Food Emulsion Gels from Plant-Based Ingredients: Formulation, Processing, and Potential Applications

Recent advances in the understanding of formulations and processing techniques have allowed for greater freedom in plant-based emulsion gel design to better recreate conventional animal-based foods. The roles of plant-based proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids in the formulation of emulsion gels and relevant processing techniques such as high-pressure homogenization (HPH), ultrasound (UH), and microfluidization (MF), were discussed in correlation with the effects of varying HPH, UH, and MF processing parameters on emulsion gel properties. The characterization methods for plant-based emulsion gels to quantify their rheological, thermal, and textural properties, as well as gel microstructure, were presented with a focus on how they can be applied for food purposes. Finally, the potential applications of plant-based emulsion gels, such as dairy and meat alternatives, condiments, baked goods, and functional foods, were discussed with a focus on sensory properties and consumer acceptance. This study found that the implementation of plant-based emulsion gel in food is promising to date despite persisting challenges. This review will provide valuable insights for researchers and industry professionals looking to understand and utilize plant-based food emulsion gels.

Inulin for surimi gel fortification: Performance and molecular weight-dependent effects

Inulin is a prebiotic carbohydrate widely used in food industry due to its health benefits and unique rheological properties. For the first time, this study explores the potential of natural inulin as a sustainable food additive to enhance surimi gel characteristics, specifically focusing on understanding its molecular weight effects. The good solubility of inulin facilitates the conversion of α-helix to other secondary conformations which are favorable for protein denaturation and aggregation during gelation. Moreover, the abundant -OH groups at the surface of inulin can boost the chemical forces within surimi proteins to reinforce the gel network. Compared to short-chain inulin, long-chain inulin can alleviate proteolysis, enhance hydrophobic interactions and intertwine with myosin molecules, thereby reinforcing the gel network. A more viscous long-chain inulin solution formed within surimi gels fills the space between aggregated proteins and facilitates the lock of water molecules, improving the water-holding capacity (WHC). Thus, an addition of 12 % long-chain inulin leads to an enhanced hardness of surimi gel from 943 to 1593 and improved WHC from 72 % to 85 %. A new inulin-myosin interaction mechanism model is also proposed to provide useful guidelines for surimi processing and expanding the application of inulin within the food industries.

Sustainable utilization of Citrus limetta peel for obtaining pectin and its application in cookies as a fat replacer

In this study, a five-factorial central composite design was employed to optimize pectin extraction from novel source, through ultrasound-assisted extraction. A 35.58% yield was obtained under optimized conditions of pH 1.0, solid (g): liquid (mL) ratio 1:24, amplitude 84.2 Hz, duty cycle 23 s/30 s, and time 30 min. The equivalent weight, methoxyl content, anhydrouronic acid content, degree of esterification, water-holding capacity, and oil-holding capacity of the extracted pectin were 796.40 ± 2.07, 8.29 ± 0.38%, 71.32 ± 0.54%, 64.66 ± 2.08%, 8.04 ± 0.10 g water/g pectin, and 2.24 ± 030 g oil/g pectin, respectively. The chemical profile of the extracted pectin was assessed with FTIR and NMR analyses. The extracted pectin was utilized as a butter substitute in cookies. Up to 30% butter in cookies could be replaced with the extracted pectin without altering the sensory and physicochemical properties. Overall, results of presented work suggest that using waste-derived pectin as a fat substitute in cookies offers a sustainable and health-promoting approach for converting waste into wealth.

Fat reduced cookies using an olive oil-alginate gelled emulsion: sensory properties, storage stability and in vitro digestion

Reformulated cookies substituting 100 % butter by an olive oil-alginate gelled emulsion containing 40 % olive oil were elaborated with and without antioxidant, and their nutritional and sensory properties were assessed. Moreover, their performance during in vitro digestion as well as their oxidative stability during storage (21 days) were studied. Reformulated cookies showed a lower fat content (a decrease of 40 %), being this fraction mostly unsaturated (70 % lower saturated fat), in comparison with conventional cookies. Instrumental measures showed higher values for hardness with reformulation, which tends to equalize during storage. Reformulated cookies had good general sensory acceptability, although lower than control ones. Regarding oxidative stability, increases in malondialdehyde were observed in all formulations during storage, but not representing an oxidation problem (<1.5 nmol/g cookies). In vitro digestion assay promoted oxidation, but the use of antioxidants seemed to have a mitigating effect. Also, it seemed that the bioaccessibility of fatty acids after in vitro digestion was higher in the reformulated products (35-40 %) than in the control ones (10-25 %).

Recent progress in emulsion gels: from fundamentals to applications

Emulsion gels, also known as gelled emulsions or emulgels, have garnered great attention both in fundamental research and practical applications due to their superior stability, tunable morphology and microstructure, and promising mechanical and functional properties. From an application perspective, attention in this area has been, historically, mainly focused on food industries, e.g., engineering emulsion gels as fat substitutes or delivery systems for bioactive food ingredients. However, a growing body of studies has, in recent years, begun to demonstrate the full potential of emulsion gels as soft templates for designing advanced functional materials widely applied in a variety of fields, spanning chemical engineering, pharmaceutics, and materials science. Herein, a concise and comprehensive overview of emulsion gels is presented, from fundamentals to applications, highlighting significant recent progress and open questions, to scout for and deepen their potential applications in more fields.

Updated design strategies for oral delivery systems: maximized bioefficacy of dietary bioactive compounds achieved by inducing proper digestive fate and sensory attributes

Interest in the application of dietary bioactive compounds (DBC) in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries has motivated researchers to develop functional delivery systems (FDS) aiming to maximize their bioefficacy. As the direct and indirect health benefiting effects of DBC are acknowledged, traditional design principle of FDS aiming at improving the bioavailability of intact DBC is challenged by the updated one, where the maximized bioefficacy of DBC delivered by FDS will be achieved via rationally absorbed at target sites with proper metabolism pathways. This article briefly summarized the absorption and metabolic fates of orally digested DBC along with their direct and indirect mechanisms to perform health benefiting effects. Current strategies in designing the next generation FDS with an emphasis on their modulation effects on the distribution portion between the upper and lower digestive tract, portal vein and lymphatic absorption, human digestive and gut microbiota enzymatic mediated metabolism were highlighted. Updated research progresses of FDS in adjusting sensory attributes of food end products and inducing synergistic effects rooting from matrix materials and co-delivered cargos were also discussed. Challenges as well as future perspectives concerning the precise nutrition and the critical role of delivery systems in dietary intervention were proposed.

Evaluation of Structural Behavior in the Process Dynamics of Oleogel-Based Tender Dough Products

The current trend is represented by replacing solid fats with structured liquid oil while maintaining the plastic properties of food products. In this study, the behavior of refined sunflower oil structured with various agents (carnauba wax-CRW, β-sitosterol:beeswax-BS:BW, β-sitosterol:lecithin-BS:LEC, and glycerol monostearate-GM) was evaluated in the process dynamics of oleogel-based tender dough products. The oleogel with the mixture of β-sitosterol:beeswax (OG_BS:BW) displayed the highest capacity to retain oil inside the matrix with a percentage of oil loss as low as 0.05% and also had a significantly higher hardness (6.37 N) than the reference, a commercial margarine (MR—3.58 N). During cooling from 90 to 4 °C, the increase in oleogel’ viscosity results from oleogelator’s liquid–solid phase transition. As demonstrated by the frequency sweeps performed, storage modulus G′ was higher than loss modulus G″, no cross-over points were observed, and the strongest gel network was for the oleogel with glycerol monostearate (OG_GM). Regarding the dough, the sample prepared using the oleogel with carnauba wax (D_CRW) showed the strongest hardness (92.49 N) compared to the reference (D_MR—21.80 N). All the oleogel-containing doughs had elastic solid-like behavior. The samples with margarine (D_MR) and the mixture of β-sitosterol:lecithin (D_BS:LEC) presented the lowest value of both moduli of G’ and G” during the frequency sweep. The biscuits formulated with commercial margarine (B_MR) registered a hardness of 28.74 N. Samples with oleogels showed a specific tenderness for tender dough products, thus being suitable for this type of product (11.22–20.97 N).

Fat replacers in baked products: their impact on rheological properties and final product quality

Many baked products, except for bread, (i.e., cakes, cookies, laminated pastries, and so on) generally contain high levels of fat in their formulas and they require different bakery fats that impart product-specific quality characteristics through their functionalities. Even though, fat is crucial for baked product quality, strategies have been developed to replace fat in their formulas as high fat intake is associated with chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular heart diseases. Besides, the solid bakery fats contain trans- and saturated fats, and their consumption has been shown to increase total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and to constitute a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases when consumed at elevated levels. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide a detailed summary of the functionality of lipids/fats (endogenous lipids, surfactants, shortening) in different baked products, the rheological behavior of bakery fats and their contribution to baked product quality, the impact of different types of fat replacers (carbohydrate-, protein-, lipid-based) on dough/batter rheology, and on the quality characteristics of the resulting reduced-fat baked products.

A review combining emerging techniques with classical ones for the determination of biscuit quality: advantages and drawbacks

The production of biscuit and biscuit-like products has faced many challenges due to changes in consumer behavior and eating habits. Today's consumer is looking for safe products not only with fresh-like and pleasant taste, but also with long shelf life and health benefits. Therefore, the potentiality of the use of healthier fat and the incorporation of natural antioxidant in the formulation of biscuit has interested, recently, the attention of researchers. The determination of the biscuit quality could be performed by several techniques (e.g., physical, chemical, sensory, calorimetry and chromatography). These classical analyses are unfortunately destructive, expensive, polluting and above all very heavy, to implement when many samples must be prepared to be analyzed. Therefore, there is a need to find fast analytical techniques for the determination of the quality of cereal products like biscuits. Emerging techniques such as near infrared (NIR), mid infrared (MIR) and front face fluorescence spectroscopy (FFFS), coupled with chemometric tools have many potential advantages and are introduced, recently, as promising techniques for the assessment of the biscuit quality.

New insights into food O/W emulsion gels: Strategies of reinforcing mechanical properties and outlook of being applied to food 3D printing

3D printing technology has been widely used in food processing with its advantages of customized food design, personalized nutrition design, and simplified food supply chain. Food emulsion gels have application value and prospects in food 3D printing due to their promising properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, as well as dual characteristics of emulsions and biopolymer gels. Food emulsion gels with appropriate mechanical properties, as a new type of food inks, expand the types and functions of the inks. However, food emulsion gels without adequate reinforced mechanical properties may suffer from defects in shape, texture, mouthfeel, and functionality during 3D printing and subsequent applications. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the strategies to improve the mechanical properties of food emulsion gels. According to the methods of characterizing the mechanical properties of emulsion gels, this article summarizes four strategies for improving the mechanical properties of emulsion gels through two ways: inside-out (reinforcement of interface and reinforcement of cross-linking) and outside-in (physical approaches and environmental regulations), as well as their basic mechanisms. The application status and future research trends of emulsion gels in food 3D printing are finally discussed.

Tailoring the Structure of Lipids, Oleogels and Fat Replacers by Different Approaches for Solving the Trans-Fat Issue-A Review

The issue of the adverse effects of trans-fatty acids has become more transparent in recent years due to researched evidence of their link with coronary diseases, obesity or type 2 diabetes. Apart from conventional techniques for lipid structuring, novel nonconventional approaches for the same matter, such as enzymatic interesterification, genetic modification, oleogelation or using components from nonlipid origins such as fat replacers have been proposed, leading to a product with a healthier nutritional profile (low in saturated fats, zero trans fats and high in polyunsaturated fats). However, replacing conventional fat with a structured lipid or with a fat mimetic can alternate some of the technological operations or the food quality impeding consumers' acceptance. In this review, we summarize the research of the different existing methods (including conventional and nonconventional) for tailoring lipids in order to give a concise and critical overview in the field. Specifically, raw materials, methods for their production and the potential of food application, together with the properties of new product formulations, have been discussed. Future perspectives, such as the possibility of bioengineering approaches and the valorization of industrial side streams in the framework of Green Production and Circular Economy in the production of tailored lipids, have been highlighted. Additionally, a schematic diagram classifying conventional and nonconventional techniques is proposed based on the processing steps included in tailored lipid production as a convenient and straightforward tool for research and industry searching for healthy, sustainable and zero trans edible lipid system alternatives.