Characterization of Enriched Meat-Based Pâté Manufactured with Oleogels as Fat Substitutes

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.

Potential application of bee products in food industry: An exploratory review

Over the past eight years, bee products such as wax, honey, propolis, and pollen have generated intense curiosity about their potential food uses; to explore these possibilities, this review examines the nutritional benefits and notable characteristics of each product related to the food industry. While all offer distinct advantages, there are challenges to overcome, including the risk of honey contamination. Indeed, honey has excellent potential as a healthier alternative to sugar, while propolis's remarkable antibacterial and antioxidant properties can be enhanced through microencapsulation. Pollen is a versatile food with multiple applications in various products. In addition, the addition of beeswax to oleogels and its use as a coating demonstrate significant improvements in the quality and preservation of environmentally sustainable foods over time. This study demonstrates that bee products and apitherapy are essential for sustainable future food and innovative medical treatments.

Enzymatic glycerolysis for the conversion of plant oils into animal fat mimetics

Substituting animal-based fats with plant-based fats of similar stability and functionality has always posed a significant challenge for the food industry. Enzymatic glycerolysis products are systems formed by converting native triacylglycerols in liquid oils into monoacylglycerols and diacylglycerols, mainly studied in the last few years for their unique structural ability. This study aims to modify and scale up the glycerolysis process of different plant oils, e.g., shea olein, palm olein, tigernut, peanut, cottonseed, and rice bran oils, with the goal of producing animal fat mimetics. The reactions were conducted at 65 °C, with a plant oil:glycerol molar ratio of 1:1, and without the addition of water, using a lab-scale reactor to convert up to 2 kg of oil into solid fat. Product characteristics were comparable at both laboratory and pilot plant scales, supporting the commercial viability of the process. Oil systems containing higher levels of both saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as shea olein and palm olein, displayed higher solid fat content at elevated temperatures and broader melting profiles with significantly higher melting points. Comparison of the thermal softening behavior and mechanical properties of these systems with those of pork, beef, and lamb fat showed their high potential to replace adipose fat in the new generation of plant-based meat analogs.

Elevating meat products: Unleashing novel gel techniques for enhancing lipid profiles

Rising health concerns and the diet-health link drive demand for healthier foods, prompting meat manufacturers to reformulate traditional products. These manufacturers have reduced fat content to enhance nutritional quality, which is essential for maintaining desired product features. As a result, numerous strategies have emerged over recent decades to decrease fat and enhance the lipid profiles of meat products. Among these strategies, using hydrocolloids, emulsification, encapsulation, or gelation of oils to produce fat substitutes stands out. Using gels allows fat replacers with characteristics similar to animal fat (similar rheological, physical, or appearance properties) but with a much healthier lipid profile (by incorporating highly unsaturated oils). Therefore, this manuscript aims to comprehensively describe the main fat replacers used to prepare meat products. In addition, an in-depth review of the latest studies (2022-2023) that use novel gels to reform meat products has been made, indicating in each case the implications that the reformulation produces at a physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory level. Given the reported results, it seems clear that the strategy of using bigels or emulgels is very promising and allows obtaining nutritionally highly improved meat products without affecting their sensory or physicochemical properties. However, the best conditions to obtain a novel gel suitable for use as a fat substitute for each meat product still need to be studied and correctly defined. Moreover, these advancements can pave the way for more extensive studies on using novel gel techniques in other food industries, expanding their applicability and leading to healthier consumer options across various food categories.

Changes in bioactive compounds present in beef burgers formulated with walnut oil gelled emulsion as a fat substitute during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

BACKGROUND

The partial or total substitution of animal fat by a gelled emulsion elaborated with cocoa bean shell and walnut oil in beef burgers was assessed in terms of the stability of the bioactive compounds (polyphenolic and methylxanthines compounds, and fatty acid profile), bioaccessibility, colon-available indices (CAIs), and lipid oxidation after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID).

RESULTS

No free polyphenolic compounds were detected in the soluble fraction after the GID of reformulated beef burgers. Reductions were obtained in the bound fraction with respect to the undigested sample from 47.57 to 53.12% for protocatechuic acid, from 60.26 to 78.01% for catechin, and from 38.37 to 60.95% for epicatechin. The methylxanthine content decreased significantly after GID. The theobromine content fell by between 48.41 and 68.61% and the caffeine content was reduced by between 96.47 and 97.95%. The fatty acid profile of undigested samples was very similar to that of digested samples. In the control burger the predominant fatty acids were oleic acid (453.27 mg g-1 ) and palmitic acid (242.20 mg g-1 ), whereas in reformulated burgers a high content of linoleic acid (304.58 and 413.35 mg g-1 ) and α-linolenic acid (52.44 and 82.35 mg g-1 ) was found. As expected, both undigested and digested reformulated samples presented a higher degree of oxidation than the control sample.

CONCLUSIONS

The reformulated beef burgers with cocoa bean shells flour and walnut oil were a good source of bioactive compounds, which were stable after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Reformulation of Bologna Sausage by Total Pork Backfat Replacement with an Emulsion Gel Based on Olive, Walnut, and Chia Oils, and Stabilized with Chitosan

Bologna sausage, also called "la grassa", is a very popular meat product despite its high fat content and lipidic profile raising serious negative health concerns. An emulsion gel containing olive, walnut, and chia oils, stabilized with soy protein isolate, transglutaminase, and chitosan, was used as total pork backfat replacer in Bologna sausage. The nutritional, textural, and technological properties were assessed and sensory analyses were conducted. Color, pH, and lipid oxidation were monitored during 18 days of cold storage (4 °C). A normal fat Bologna sausage was used as a control reference. A decrease in the n-6/n-3 ratio from 16.85 to 1.86 (by 9 times) was achieved in the reformulated product as compared with the control, while the PUFA/SFA ratio increased from 0.57 to 1.61. Color measurements indicated that the lightness and yellowness increased while redness slightly decreased in the reformulated product. The total substitution of pork backfat in Bologna sausage by the emulsion gel developed in the present study was realized without significantly affecting the technological properties, the oxidative stability and the overall acceptance by the consumers.

Waxy Oleogels for Partial Substitution of Solid Fat in Margarines

One of the research directions of oleogels is to study the possibility of their practical application in the food industry as an alternative to solid fats. In this work, the possibility of replacing solid fat in margarine (fat content 82.5%) with oleogels was evaluated. The oleogel content varied from 10 to 50% of the fat phase. The concentration of gelator for which beeswax or wax components (9:1 combination of beeswax and hydrocarbons) were used represented 3% in oleogels. The fatty acid composition of the fat components used, their textural characteristics, and their color were studied. The following physicochemical and rheological properties of margarines were determined: color values, textural and thermal characteristics, and sensory properties. The data obtained were processed using principal component analysis (PCA). Oleogels were characterized by lower textural properties compared to commercial fat (CF), but a lower content of saturated fatty acids. When using oleogels, the color characteristics of the margarines changed insignificantly. A decrease in textural and organoleptic properties was shown when using more than 30% oleogel in the composition of margarines. It was found that an increase in the proportion of oleogel leads to a decrease in the melting enthalpy of margarines. The margarines, depending on the ratio of oleogel in the fat phase, were characterized by a content of saturated fatty acids reduced by 7-35% and increased by a 18-92% level of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, the application of oleogels in margarine technology makes it possible to adjust the fatty acid composition while improving the physicochemical properties.

Novel Approaches to Improve Meat Products' Healthy Characteristics: A Review on Lipids, Salts, and Nitrites

Meat products are a staple of many diets around the world, but they have been subject to criticism due to their potential negative impact on human health. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing novel approaches to improve the healthy characteristics of meat products, with a particular focus on reducing the levels of harmful salts, lipids, and nitrites. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest research on the various methods being developed to address these issues, including the use of alternative salts, lipid-reducing techniques, and natural nitrite alternatives. By exploring these innovative approaches, we can gain a better understanding of the potential for improving the nutritional value of meat products, while also meeting the demands of consumers who are increasingly concerned about their health and well-being.

Influence of Heat Treatment on the Chemical, Physical, Microbiological and Sensorial Properties of Pork Liver Pâté as Affected by Fat Content

The novelty of this study is the investigation of the effect of different heat treatments and, simultaneously, the effect of different fat levels on the quality of pork liver pâtés. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of heat treatment and fat content on selected properties of pork liver pâté. For this purpose, four batches of pâtés with two different fat contents (30 and 40% (w/w)) and two different heat treatments (pasteurisation: target temperature 70 °C, holding time of 10 min; sterilisation: target temperature 122 °C, holding time of 10 min) were manufactured. Chemical (pH, dry matter, crude protein, total lipid, ammonia, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)), microbiological, colour, textural, rheological, and sensory analyses were performed. Both different heat treatment and fat content affected most of the parameters observed. Sterilisation ensured the commercial sterility of the manufactured pâtés, resulting in elevated TBARS values, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and springiness, and increased rheological parameters (G', G″, G*, and η*), as well as colour changes (decrease in L* and increase in a*, b*, and C* values) and deterioration of appearance, consistency, and flavour also being detected (p < 0.05). Higher fat content caused similar variations in the textural and viscoelastic properties, i.e., the increase in hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and springiness, and also in G', G″, G*, and η* (p < 0.05). However, the colour and sensorial parameters changed in different ways compared to the changes induced by the sterilisation effect. Overall, the observed changes might not be desirable for some consumers and further research would be appropriate to improve especially the sensorial attributes of sterilised pork liver pâtés.

Food-Grade Oleogels: Trends in Analysis, Characterization, and Applicability

Currently, a large number of scientific articles can be found in the research literature in the field focusing on the use of oleogels for food formulation to improve their nutritional properties. The present review focuses on the most representative food-grade oleogels, highlighting current trends in terms of the most suitable methods of analysis and characterization, as well as trends in their application as substitutes for saturated and trans fats in foods. For this purpose, the physicochemical properties, structure, and composition of some oleogelators are primarily discussed, along with the adequacy of oleogel incorporation for use in edible products. Analysis and characterization of oleogels by different methods are important in the formulation of innovative foods, and therefore, this review discusses the most recent published results regarding their microstructure, rheological and textural properties, and oxidative stability. Last but not least, issues related to the sensory properties of oleogel-based foods are discussed, highlighting also the consumer acceptability of some of them.

Effects of Pork Backfat Replacement with Emulsion Gels Formulated with a Mixture of Olive, Chia and Algae Oils on the Quality Attributes of Pork Patties

This paper reports on the development of new emulsion gels containing a mixture of olive, chia and algae oil emulsified with soy protein isolate and stabilized by two different cold gelling agents, gelatin (EGEL) and chitosan (ECHIT), and to evaluate their potential use as pork backfat replacers in cooked pork patties. Reformulated patties were produced by half and full pork backfat replacement and compared to normal fat patties and reduced fat content patties made by replacing half of the added fat with water. Color parameters, pH and thermal stability of the emulsion gels were determined at processing and after 10 days of refrigerated storage. Proximate composition, fatty acid profile, technological properties and sensory attributes were evaluated after patty processing, while color parameters, pH and lipid oxidation were monitored in patties during 15 days of refrigerated storage (4 °C). Reformulated patties showed significant improvements of the lipid profile (lower saturated fatty acid content and n-6/n-3 ratio and higher long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content) as compared to the controls. In terms of technological properties, chitosan was more effective than gelatin as a stabilizer of the emulsion gel. All reformulated patties showed a good evolution of lipid oxidation during storage and acceptable sensory attributes.

Recent Advances in Cellulose-Based Hydrogels: Food Applications

In the past couple of years, cellulose has attracted a significant amount of attention and research interest due to the fact that it is the most abundant and renewable source of hydrogels. With increasing environmental issues and an emerging demand, researchers around the world are focusing on naturally produced hydrogels in particular due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and abundance. Hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) networks created by chemically or physically crosslinking linear (or branching) hydrophilic polymer molecules. Hydrogels have a high capacity to absorb water and biological fluids. Although hydrogels have been widely used in food applications, the majority of them are not biodegradable. Because of their functional characteristics, cellulose-based hydrogels (CBHs) are currently utilized as an important factor for different aspects in the food industry. Cellulose-based hydrogels have been extensively studied in the fields of food packaging, functional food, food safety, and drug delivery due to their structural interchangeability and stimuli-responsive properties. This article addresses the sources of CBHs, types of cellulose, and preparation methods of the hydrogel as well as the most recent developments and uses of cellulose-based hydrogels in the food processing sector. In addition, information regarding the improvement of edible and functional CBHs was discussed, along with potential research opportunities and possibilities. Finally, CBHs could be effectively used in the industry of food processing for the aforementioned reasons.

Research progress of water-in-oil emulsion gelated with internal aqueous phase: gel factors, gel mechanism, application fields, and future direction of development

The W/O emulsion is a promising system. Its special structure can keep the sensory properties of fat while reducing the fat content. Improving the stability and physical properties of W/O emulsions is generally oriented toward outer oil-phase modified oil gels and inner water-phase modified inner hydrogels. In this paper, the research progress of internal aqueous gel was reviewed, and some gel factors suitable for internal aqueous gel and the gel mechanism of main gel factors were discussed. The advantages of this internal aqueous gel emulsion system allow its use in the field of fat substitutes and encapsulating substances. Finally, some shortcomings and possible research directions in the future were proposed, which would provide a theoretical basis for the further development of internal water-phase gelled W/O emulsion in the future.

Oleogels-Innovative Technological Solution for the Nutritional Improvement of Meat Products

Food products contain important quantities of fats, which include saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids. Because of a proven relationship between saturated fat consumption and the appearance of several diseases, an actual trend is to eliminate them from foodstuffs by finding solutions for integrating other healthier fats with high stability and solid-like structure. Polyunsaturated vegetable oils are healthier for the human diet, but their liquid consistency can lead to a weak texture or oil drain if directly introduced into foods during technological processes. Lately, the use of oleogels that are obtained through the solidification of liquid oils by using edible oleogelators, showed encouraging results as fat replacers in several types of foods. In particular, for meat products, studies regarding successful oleogel integration in burgers, meat batters, pâtés, frankfurters, fermented and bologna sausages have been noted, in order to improve their nutritional profile and make them healthier by substituting for animal fats. The present review aims to summarize the newest trends regarding the use of oleogels in meat products. However, further research on the compatibility between different oil-oleogelator formulations and meat product components is needed, as it is extremely important to obtain appropriate compositions with adequate behavior under the processing conditions.

Ultrasonic Treatment of Food Colloidal Systems Containing Oleogels: A Review

The use of oleogels as an alternative to solid fats to reduce the content of saturated and trans-isomeric fatty acids is a developing area of research. Studies devoted to the search for methods of obtaining oleogels with given properties are of current interest. Ultrasonic treatment as a method for modifying oleogel properties has been used to solve this problem. The number of publications on the study of the effect of ultrasonic treatment on oleogel properties is increasing. This review aimed to systematize and summarize existing data. It allowed us to identify the incompleteness of this data, assess the effect of ultrasonic treatment on oleogel properties, which depends on various factors, and identify the vector of this direction in the food industry. A more detailed description of the parameters of ultrasonic treatment is needed to compare the results between various publications. Ultrasonic treatment generally leads to a decrease in crystal size and an increase in oil-binding capacity, rheological properties, and hardness. The chemical composition of oleogels and the concentration of gelators, the amplitude and duration of sonication, the cooling rate, and the crystallization process stage at which the treatment occurs are shown to be the factors influencing the efficiency of the ultrasonic treatment.

Novel biphasic gels can mimic and replace animal fat in fully-cooked coarse-ground sausage

Four biphasic gels (BPG) were developed and tested as pork fat replacers in coarse-ground fully-cooked sausages. An oleogel (OG) phase (92.5% high-oleic soybean oil, 7.5% rice bran wax) and one of two hydrogel (HG) phases (water and 7% or 8% gelatin) were combined in 7:3 or 6:4 OG:HG ratios, for a total of four test formulations. Control sausages were formulated to 27.5% fat and stored at 0-2 °C for 98 d. BPGs allowed for fat reductions of up to 26%. Visually, all BPGs resembled pork fat. There were no differences in external L* and a* but, internally, controls were darker and redder. Except for one control, there were no differences in Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness. Warner-Bratzler Shear (WBS) force was highest in 6:4 samples, which were also highest in Sensory First Bite Firmness and lowest in Smoked Sausage Aroma and Smoked Sausage Flavor. TBARS values remained steady, with no rancid flavors detected by the sensory panel.

Nutritive, chemical and technological properties of liver pate formulated with beef offal, sheep tail fat and licorice and ginger root

In the present study, incorporation of sheep tail fat, beef heart, kidneys, and herbal ingredients (grounded licorice and ginger root, pumpkin, carrots, and onions) into liver pate formulations was investigated. Four types of liver pate were prepared: control sample containing only liver and butter; experimental sample S1 - pate with sheep tail fat (5%), ground dried licorice root (1%) and ginger (2%); experimental sample S2 - pate with sheep tail fat (8%), ground dried licorice root (2%) and ginger (3%); experimental sample S3 - pate with sheep tail fat (10%), ground dried licorice root (3%) and ginger (4%). Inclusion of the above-mentioned ingredients in the pate recipe did not cause significant changes in the mass fraction of table salt and protein (P > 0.05) and, conversely, significantly increased the moisture content, carbohydrates, fat and be-ta-carotene in the test sample (P < 0.05). In the experimental samples, the number of amino acids decreased with the exception of arginine. Among the experimental samples, the highest content of amino acids (18 g / 100 g) and essential amino acids (8.89 g/ 100 g) was detected in S1. The results of determining the fatty acid composition showed significant changes in the composition of experimental samples com-pared with the control. The total content of saturated acids in the experimental samples decreased while the content of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids increased (P ˂ 0.05). Textural characteristics, such as hardness, cohesiveness and adhe-siveness in the test sample have changed significantly (P < 0.05). However, the elasticity (springiness) and stickiness of the paste mass were almost the same for the control and experi-mental samples. The introduction of the above-mentioned ingredients in the experimental sam-ples increased the pH and water-binding capacity) values, which suggests an increase in juici-ness. The conducted studies have confirmed the prospects for improving the chemical compo-sition without deterioration of the consistency and structure of the finished product.

Microencapsulated Healthy Oil Mixtures to Enhance the Quality of Foal Pâtés

This study aimed to evaluate the use of microencapsulated oil mixtures as partial animal fat replacers and their effects on the physicochemical, nutritional and sensory qualities of foal pâtés. Three different batches were manufactured: a control (CON) formulation, with foal dorsal subcutaneous fat (30 g/100 g), and treatments 1 and 2 (T1 and T2), with 50% of the animal fat replaced by microcapsules containing algal oil mixed with walnut oil (T1) or pistachio oil (T2). The reformulated samples presented significant (p < 0.001) diminutions of fat contents, which achieved reductions of 34.22% (“reduced fat content”) and 28.17% in the T1 and T2 samples, respectively, and the lipid reformulation did not affect (p > 0.05) the texture or lipid oxidation of the samples. Furthermore, both microencapsulated oil mixtures significantly (p < 0.001) reduced (11−15%) saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations and increased (p < 0.001) mono- (T2) and polyunsaturated (T1) fatty acid contents (8% and 68%, respectively), contributing to the obtainment of nutritional indices in line with health recommendations. Additionally, consumer acceptability did not display significant (p > 0.05) differences among samples. Hence, the outcomes indicated that the incorporation of these microencapsulated oil mixtures as partial animal fat replacers, especially the T1 mixture, represents a promising strategy to obtain healthier foal pâtés, without compromising consumer approval.

Hydrogels, Oleogels and Bigels as Edible Coatings of Sardine Fillets and Delivery Systems of Rosemary Extract

Edible coatings provide an alternative way to reduce packaging requirements and extend the shelf life of foods by delaying oxidation and microbial spoilage. Hydrogels, oleogels and bigels were applied as coatings on fresh sardine fillets. The effectiveness of these coatings as delivery systems of rosemary extract (RE) was also evaluated. Three groups of sardine fillet treatments were prepared: (i) the control (C), which comprised sardine fillets without coating, (ii) sardine fillets with plain hydrogel (H), oleogel (O) or bigel (BG) coatings, and (iii) sardine fillets with RE incorporated into the H, O and BG coatings. The different treatments were evaluated for lipid oxidation (TBA test), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and microbiological growth during cold storage at 4 °C. Results showed that hydrogel, oleogel and bigel coatings delayed oxidation. The incorporation of RE into coatings significantly retarded lipid oxidation but did not affect the proliferation of microorganisms during storage. When RE was incorporated in the oleogel phase of the bigel coating, it produced significantly lower TVB-N values compared to the control and BG treatments. The incorporation of RE into the oleogel phase of the bigel coating may be a promising method of maintaining the storage quality of the sardine fillets stored at refrigerated temperatures.

Main animal fat replacers for the manufacture of healthy processed meat products

The technological, sensory, and nutritional characteristics of meat products are directly related to their animal fat content. Adding animal fat to meat products significantly influences their sensory properties, such as color, taste, and aroma. In addition, the physicochemical properties of fat decisively contribute to the texture of meat products, playing a fundamental role in improving the properties of viscosity, creaminess, chewiness, cohesiveness, and hardness. However, meat products' high animal fat content makes them detrimental to a healthy diet. Therefore, reducing the fat content of meat products is an urgent need, but it is a challenge for researchers and the meat industry. The fat reduction in meat products without compromising the product's quality and with minor impacts on the production costs is not a simple task. Thus, strategies to reduce the fat content of meat products should be studied with caution. During the last decades, several fat replacers were tested, but among all of them, the use of flours and fibers, hydrocolloids, mushrooms, and some animal proteins (such as whey and collagen) presented promising results. Additionally, multiple strategies to gel oils of vegetable origin are also a current topic of study, and these have certain advantages such as their appearance (attempts to imitate animal fat), while also improving the nutritional profile of the lipid fraction of the products meat. However, each of these fat substitutes has both advantages and limitations in their use, which will be discussed in subsequent sections. Therefore, due to the growing interest in this issue, this review focuses on the main substitutes for animal fat used in the production of meat products, offering detailed and updated information on the latest discoveries and advances in this area.

Fibrous and Spherical Aggregates of Ovotransferrin as Stabilizers for Oleogel-Based Pickering Emulsions: Preparation, Characteristics and Curcumin Delivery

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of differently shaped aggregates of ovotransferrin (OVT) particles on oleogel-based Pickering emulsions (OPEs). Medium-chain triglyceride oil-based oleogels were constructed using beeswax, and their gel-sol melting temperatures were investigated. Atomic force microscopy confirmed that both OVT fibrils and OVT spheres were successfully prepared, and the three-phase contact angle measurements indicated that fibrous and spherical aggregates of OVT particles possessed great potential to stabilize the OPEs. Afterward, the oil-in-water OPEs were fabricated using oleogel as the oil phase and OVT fibrils/spheres as the emulsifiers. The results revealed that OPEs stabilized with OVT fibrils (FIB-OPEs) presented a higher degree of emulsification, smaller droplet size, better physical stability and stronger apparent viscosity compared with OPEs stabilized with OVT spheres (SPH-OPEs). The freeze–thaw stability test showed that the FIB-OPEs remained stable after three freeze–thaw cycles, while the SPH-OPEs could barely withstand one freeze–thaw cycle. An in vitro digestion study suggested that OVT fibrils conferred distinctly higher lipolysis (46.0%) and bioaccessibility (62.8%) of curcumin to OPEs.

Editorial for Gels 6th Anniversary Special Issue

This Special Issue celebrates many outstanding quality papers published in Gels over the past six years since its first issue was published in 2015 [...].

Oleogels prepared with low molecular weight gelators: Texture, rheology and sensory properties, a review

There is a growing need for healthier foods with no trans and reduced saturated fat. However, solid fats play critical roles in texture and sensory attributes of food products, making it challenging to eliminate them in foods. Recently, the concept of oleogelation as a novel oil structuring technique has received numerous attentions owing to their great potential to mimic the properties of solid fats. Understanding textural, rheological and sensory properties of oleogels helps predict the techno-functionalities of oleogels to replace solid fats in food products. This research critically reviews the textural and rheological properties of oleogels prepared by low molecular weight oleogelators (LMWGs) and functional characteristics of foods formulated by these oleogels. The mechanical properties of LMWG-containing oleogels are comprehensively discussed against conventional solid fats. The interactions between the oleogel and its surrounding food matrix are explained, and the sensory attributes of oleogel containing reformulated products are highlighted. Scientific insights into the texture and rheological properties of oleogels manufactured with a wide range of low molecular gelators and their related products are provided in order to boost their implication for creating healthier foods with high consumer acceptability. Future research opportunities on low molecular weight gelators are also discussed.

Future trends of processed meat products concerning perceived healthiness: A review

The 21st-century consumer is highly demanding when it comes to the health benefits of food and food products. In the pursuit of attracting these consumers and easing the rise in demand for high-quality meat products, the processed meat sector is intensely focused on developing reformulated, low-fat, healthy meat products. Meat and meat products are considered the primary sources of saturated fatty acids in the human diet. Therefore, these reformulation strategies aim to improve the fatty acid profile and reduce total fat and cholesterol, which can be achieved by replacing animal fat with plant-based oils; it could be performed as direct inclusion of these oils or pre-emulsified oils. However, emulsions offer a viable option for incorporating vegetable oils while avoiding the multiple issues of direct inclusion of these oils in meat products. Processed meat products are popular worldwide and showing a gradually increasing trend of consumption. Various types of plant-based oils have been studied as fat replacers in meat products. This review will focus on possible methods to reduce the saturated fatty acid content in meat products.

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.

Monoglyceride oleogels as fat replacers in filling creams for sandwich cookies

BACKGROUND

Many food products need to be reformulated to reduce the intake of saturated and trans fats which are considered unhealthy. In particular, the reformulation of filling creams (FCs) is challenging as these fats cannot be directly replaced with liquid oil without affecting the final product properties. This research studied the formulation and characterization of FCs for sandwich cookies using monoglyceride oleogel as fat material.

RESULTS

FC formulated with 260 g kg^-1 oleogel showed viscoelastic moduli values that did not differ significantly from those measured in a filling cream of commercial sandwich cookies (FC-CSCs) used as reference. The oil binding capacity of the FCs decreased with the increase of oleogel content. The increase of the oleogel amount in the formulation produced a decrease in hardness but an increase in adhesiveness and cohesiveness. Hardness, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness ranged from 0.66 to 3.48 N, 0.44 to 0.86 N s, and 0.07 to 0.29, respectively. When FCs were used for assembling cookies into sandwiches, an oil loss of about 9 g kg^-1 FC after 21 days of storage was found in FCs containing 220 and 260 g kg^-1 oleogel. The nutritional improvement due to the use of oleogel in FCs led to a reduction in saturated fatty acids between 64.5% and 35.2% and from 1.0 to 0.0% trans fatty acids in comparison with FC-CSC.

CONCLUSION

Full fat replacement with monoglyceride oleogel in FC formulations allows the obtention of products with good quality and some similar characteristics to those obtained for FC-CSC, with the added benefit of a healthier nutritional profile. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Recent Discoveries in the Field of Lipid Bio-Based Ingredients for Meat Processing

Current culture and pace of lifestyle, together with consumer demand for ready-to-eat foods, has influenced the food industry, particularly the meat sector. However, due to the important role that diet plays in human health, consumers demand safe and healthy food products. As a consequence, even foods that meet expectations for convenience and organoleptic properties must also meet expectations from a nutritional standpoint. One of the main nutritionally negative aspects of meat products is the content and composition of fat. In this sense, the meat industry has spent decades researching the best strategies for the reformulation of traditional products, without having a negative impact in technological processes or in the sensory acceptance of the final product. However, the enormous variety of meat products as well as industrial and culinary processes means that a single strategy cannot be established, despite the large volume of work carried out in this regard. Therefore, taking all the components of this complex situation into account and utilizing the large amount of scientific information that is available, this review aims to comprehensively analyze recent advances in the use of lipid bio-based materials to reformulate meat products, as well as their nutritional, technological, and sensorial implications.

Healthy beef burgers: Effect of animal fat replacement by algal and wheat germ oil emulsions

The present study aimed to reformulate beef burgers to make them healthier through total replacement of pork backfat by algal (Al) and/or wheat germ (WG) oils emulsions. The addition of oils emulsions increased the protein and decreased the proportions of lipids in the burgers between 26% and 38%. Colour and technological parameters were not affected by the addition of oils, but increased all TPA parameters. α-tocopherol (Vitamin E) increased in reformulated samples. The wheat germ oil reduced the SFA concentration. The use of algal and/or wheat germ oils emulsions increase PUFA concentration. Beef burgers containing algal oil can be claimed as "high omega-3 content". Both oils improved the n-6/n-3 and PUFA/SFA nutritional ratios. Sensory differences were observed in the flavour and overall quality parameters. The formulations containing algal oil emulsion were similar to the Control. As a general conclusion, the use of algal oil emulsion as pork backfat substitute improve nutritional characteristics of burger without affecting technological or sensory properties.

Properties of margarines prepared from soybean oil oleogels with mixtures of candelilla wax and beeswax

The aim of this study was to examine the physical properties of margarines prepared from oleogels with binary mixtures of candelilla wax (CDW) and beeswax (BW) in soybean oil. Some of the margarines made from oleogels with mixtures of CDW and BW had higher firmness than those made with one wax. For example, a 3% wax margarine made with 25% CDW and 75% BW had significantly higher firmness (0.97 N) than those with 100% CDW (0.59 N) and with 100% BW (0.11 N). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and solid fat content (SFC) analyses revealed eutectic melting properties for binary wax margarines, which may be desirable since wax oleogel-based margarines often have higher melting points than conventional margarines. For example, the major melting point of 3% wax margarine made with 50% CDW and 50% BW was 43.85 °C, while for margarines made with 100% CDW or 100% BW, the melting points were at 46.00% and 47.61 °C, respectively. SFC was lowest for margarines with 50 or 75% BW; for example, 3% wax margarine with 25% CDW and 75% BW had 0.72% SFC at 40 °C while those with 100% CDW and 100% BW had 1.19 and 1.13% SFC, respectively. However, dropping point constantly decreased with increasing BW ratios. This study demonstrated that by mixing two waxes, the firmness of oleogel-based margarines could be increased, and the melting point could be tailored by the ratio of two waxes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study demonstrated that firmness and melting properties of margarines prepared from wax-oleogels can be improved by mixing two waxes, making their practical application more feasible. Firmness of margarines prepared with oleogels of binary mixtures of candelilla wax and beeswax were higher than those with pure waxes. The melting point of wax oleogel-based margarines was decreased by use of binary mixtures of candelilla wax and beeswax.