Enriching foods with long-chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) requires a delivery emulsion system, which is both thermodynamically and oxidatively stable. The antioxidant and stabilizing properties of three types of polysaccharide extracts from brown algae Saccharina latissima with mixed composition of polysaccharides (SA: 98% Sodium alginate, SF: 90% alginate and 9% fucoidan, SL: 14.5% fucoidan, 9.5% laminarin and co-extracted non-polysaccharides) were evaluated. SA, SF, SL and REF (added commercial sodium alginate) all showed in vitro ferrous ion chelating ability in the order: SA(99%)>SL(78%)>REF(31%)>SF(16%). The difference in antioxidant activity between SA, REF and SF appeared related to structural differences of alginate (M/G ratio). A storage trial was conducted using 70% (w/w) fish oil-in-water delivery emulsions added sodium caseinate (NaCas) (0.23 wt%) as emulsifier in combination with SA, SF, SL or commercial NaAlg (REF) in different concentrations (C1=0.1, C2=0.2 C3=0.3 and C4=0.4 wt%). A control with only NaCas were included (CON). The physical (e.g. creaming and droplet-size distribution) and oxidative (peroxide value and volatiles) stability of the emulsions, were evaluated (12 days, dark at 20˚C). Acceptable physical stability (creaming index, CI) was found for, REF (all concentrations), SF=0.2 wt% (C2), SL and SA=0.3 wt% (C3) and 0.4 wt% (C4). In general, the oxidative stability decreased by adding REF, SA and SF (except for REF at C1), as prooxidant activity was observed. However, SA showed antioxidant activity against formation of 2-ethylfuran. SL showed antioxidant activity in decreasing formation of volatile compounds in emulsions when added in concentrations above 0.2 wt%.

This study was carried out to optimize formulation for Heracleum Lasiopetalum (golpar) extract nanoencapsulation by response surface methodology (RSM). The primary emulsion was fabricated by (5-10 %) golpar extract (GE), (40-35 %) emulsifier span 80 (EM), and (50-60 %) sunflower oil (SO). The coating materials of nanoencapsulation were the composition of Lepidium sativum seed gum (LSG) and whey protein concentrate (WPC) at different ratios (1:0, 1:1, and 0:1). The yield of nanoencapsulation of golpar extract, particle size, and zeta potential was investigated as responses of RSM. The optimal formulation for nanoencapsulation of golpar extract were SO: 50.46%, GE 9.52%, and EM: 36.30% in LSG, SO: 57.07%, GE: 7.12%, and EM: 30.85% in LSG:WPC, and SO: 54.98%, GE: 9.05%, and EM: 39.87% in WPC coating. In conclusion, the nanoencapsulation of golpar extract prepared with the optimized formulation by RSM ensures the gradual release and sedimentation during storage with nanometric size and high yield of encapsulation. The nanocapsules of golpar extract can be used as a natural antioxidant in food systems.

Previous studies reported that several amino acids had strong antioxidant activity in vegetable oils under frying conditions. In this study, the carboxylic acid group of amino acids was converted to a carboxylate group (-COO-Na+ or -COO-K+), a heating study was conducted with amino acid salts in soybean oil at 180 ºC. Sodium salts of amino acids including alanine, phenylalanine, and proline and disodium glutamate had significantly stronger antioxidant activity than the corresponding amino acids, and potassium salts had stronger antioxidant activity than sodium salts. Potassium salts of alanine and phenylalanine more effectively retained tocopherols in soybean oil than the corresponding amino acids during heating. Phenylalanine potassium salt had stronger antioxidant activity than phenylalanine in other vegetable oils including olive, high oleic soybean, canola, avocado, and corn oils. Phenylalanine potassium salt at 5.5. mM more effectively prevented oil oxidation than tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), a synthetic antioxidant, at its legal concentration limit (0.02%) indicating its feasibility as a new antioxidant for frying.

Monoacylglycerol (MAG) and diacylglycerol (DAG) are two natural components found in most edible oils and fats. Conventional synthesis of MAG and DAG is usually conducted by glycerolysis of triacylglycerol (TAG) at high temperatures (above 200 °C) in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. In this work, the synthesis of MAG and DAG using enzymatic glycerolysis of olive oil was investigated using Tween 80 as surfactant, n-butanol as co-surfactant and the novel lipase in free/liquid formulation Lipozyme TL 100L as catalyst. Experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of enzyme load and reaction temperature on the feedstock conversion. Enzyme load and system temperature were significant variables in the statistical design and the best condition was found at 35 °C, 7.5 vol% of Lipozyme TL 100 and glycerol to oil molar ratio of 2:1 with conversion of TAG at approximately 98 % after 2 h of process. A mathematical model based on the Ping-Pong Bi-Bi mechanism was used to describe the reaction kinetics. The model adequately described the behavior of the system and can be a useful tool for the design of reactors in larger scales.

Globally, there is an increasing demand for sources of plant-based protein. While Brassica napus L. is an important oilseed crop worldwide, there is also interest in improving its ability to serve as a valuable source of plant-based protein. Cruciferin, a seed storage protein that makes up 60% of the protein found in mature seeds of B. napus, is of interest for human consumption as a source of protein and as an ingredient in food products due to its functional properties. Existing methods for quantification of cruciferin protein are often time consuming and destroy the seed. This study explored the potential for the measurement of cruciferin protein content in whole seeds of B. napus by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), to allow for efficient and non-destructive screening of breeding material. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based reference method was utilized to assess cruciferin content in a diverse population of B. napus. Scanning of whole seed samples produced spectra that were used to develop NIRS calibration equations. Statistical analysis of the calibration results indicated that the NIRS equations developed are poorly suited for prediction of cruciferin content.

Cold-pressed hempseed oil (HSO) is known to have many health benefits due to many phytochemicals and high polyunsaturated fatty acids content. In this study, HSO oleogels were prepared with 3, 5, and 7% natural waxes including sunflower wax (SW), rice bran wax (RBW), beeswax, and candelilla wax to evaluate their potential as solid fat replacements in margarines and spreads. Firmness, crystal structures, and melting properties of these oleogels were evaluated. In general, wax-based HSO oleogels except for RBW-HSO oleogels had lower firmness and weaker crystal network than the corresponding soybean oil (SBO) oleogels. In contrast, RBW-HSO oleogels had similar firmness, comparable or stronger crystal network, and higher melting and crystallization enthalpies compared to those of SBO oleogels. After removing polar compounds from HSO, waxes except for RBW provided oleogels with greater firmness, higher melting and crystallization enthalpies, and stronger crystal network. Therefore, it was concluded that polar compounds negatively affected the physical properties of wax-HSO oleogels but not those of RBW-HSO oleogels. Margarine samples were prepared with SW- and RBW-HSO oleogels, and their firmness and melting properties were examined. The firmness of these margarines indicated that wax-HSO oleogels may achieve the firmness of commercial spreads with less than 3% wax while the firmness of stick margarines cannot be achieved even with 7% wax. Although the properties of wax-HSO oleogels should be further improved, they showed potential as solid fat replacements in margarines and spreads.

Oleogelation is an efficient way to structure oil and reduce saturated fatty acids of lipid products. Multi-component gels are of particularly interest attributed to the ability to tune gel properties by alteration of the component proportions. In this study, monoacylglycerol (MAG) and diacylglycerol (DAG) are used as gelator mixture and the influence of the ratio of these two crystalline particles on the characteristics of oleogels was investigated. The crystallization and melting behavior, solid fat content (SFC), crystal morphology, polymorphism and mechanical properties of the oleogels were characterized. The oleogels with higher gelator level displayed higher oil binding ability and shorter crystal formation time. The oleogels with higher MAG ratio exhibited more blade-like crystals, and the mixed oleogels with MAG: DAG of 3:7 and 5:5 showed altered crystal morphology with finer crystal size and reduced crystallization enthalpies possibly due to the increased nucleation seeds promoted by MAG. The oleogels with high MAG level showed lower equilibrium SFC during isothermal crystallization but faster crystallization rate, higher hardness and elasticity. Therefore, by changing the ratio of DAG with MAG, the crystallization profile and rheological properties of oleogels can be tailored and used as traditional solid fat substitutes in lipid-based products.

Novel cocoa butter equivalents were designed using dry fractionated Pequi oil and solvent fractionated Kpangnan butter. Static crystallization of binary mixtures of these two fractions into the triclinic form (β2) was achieved after 12 days for all mixtures and after 4 days for the 80:20 w/w and 90:10 w/w fractionated Kpangnan:Pequi oil mixtures. Moreover, after 60 days of storage at 22oC, all binary blends (except 100% fractionated pequi oil and 100% fractionated Kpangnan butter) were crystallized in the most stable triclinic crystal form (β1). Here we also discovered an unusual melting behavior for the fractionaled 30:70 w/w and 20:80 w/w fractionated Kpangnan:Pequi oil mixtures, where after 4 days of static crystallization at room 22oC, these mixtures displayed higher than predicted melting points, 41.89 oC and 33.32 oC, respectively. This suggested a faster kinetics of transformation to the triclinic β2 form for those mixtures. Our results suggest that the 30:70 w/w fractionated Kpangnan:Pequi oil mixture with a melting point of 34oC after 60 days storage at 22oC, a stable triclinic β2 form, and a triglyceride composition of 28% POP, 4.6% POS and 33% SOS displayed solid state characteristics, melting point and crystal structure, of a commercial cocoa butter equivalent.

Bigels, are prepared by homogenization of an organogel and hydrogel. Bigels can offer improved properties when compared to other gelled systems due to its semi-solid internal phase and supramolecular interactions between components. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mono-diglycerides (MDG) on the supramolecular structure and interactions, physical stability and mechanical properties of a rice bran wax (RBW)–gelatin bigels. The organogel-to-hydrogel (OG:HG) ratios tested were 60:40, 70:30 and 80:20 with MDG incorporated at four concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, 3% (w/w)). Bigels were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), texture analysis and liquid binding capacity studies. The results showed that MDG have a dual effect on the structural organization and stability of the systems; they act as emulsifiers and/or crystallization modifiers. CSLM and FTIR showed that the addition of MDG had the greatest effect on the microstructure of the 60:40 OG:HG ratio, where MDG concentrations 0.5 and 1% (w/w) exhibited a reduction in the size of the oleogel regions while concentrations 2 and 3% (w/w) showed a phase inversion. MDG addition resulted in a gradual decrease in bigel hardness, but an enhancement of physical stability.

Consumers are becoming aware of the relevance of eating low levels of trans and saturated fats in processed foods. In addition, many countries are adopting regulatory measures on the use of these ingredients. For this reason, the exploration of new technologies capable of producing structures that trap liquid oil (composed of unsaturated fatty acids, considered healthier) has been widely investigated in order to replace saturated and trans fats in food products. One of the most promising technologies is the so-called oleogels, which present a great challenge to mimic sensory attributes related to the texture of processed foods based on saturated fats. In this review, we discuss how the different approaches used in the production of oleogels, direct or indirect methods, as well as compositional variables, such as oleogelators and mixing ratio, can directly influence the mechanical properties of these structures. An overview of the parameters that can interfere with these properties contributes to a better understanding of the building of the oleogels and their possible applications.

Oleogelation offers the possibility to reduce the saturated fatty acid (SAFA) content while maintaining the desired organoleptic properties. Hereby, SAFA are replaced by other structurants which can create a three-dimensional network that immobilizes the liquid oil. Depending on the type of structurants, different structuring routes are identified. The use of monoglycerides (MAGs) as structurants is a promising approach thanks to their great self-assembling properties. However, implementation into the food industry is still hampered due to insufficient characterization. This research includes a multiscale analysis of two dynamically produced MAG-based oleogels as a function of the storage time (up to 8 weeks). Slight differences in the production process resulted in differences in techno-functional properties between the MAG-based oleogels MO1 and MO2. MO1 consisted of larger crystals, which resulted in a lower rigidity, lower stability and lower oil binding capacity compared to the other oleogel (MO2). On the nanoscale, it was found that the crystal nanoplatelets (CNPs) of MO1 contained a higher number of lamellae compared to the MO2. Additionally, the results obtained with ultra-small angle X-ray scattering indicated a larger equivalent diameter for the CNPs of MO1. As a function of the storage time, both oleogels did not show major structural changes up to 8 weeks of storage.

The aim of this study was to determine and optimize culture media for Chlorella vulgaris microalgae under mixotrophic conditions using waste molasses as a cheap carbon source containing both organic carbons and other nutrients. In the current study, at first the growth and lipid productivity of Chlorella vulgaris were assessed in different culture media and the best media was selected for mixotrophic growth conditions. Significant medium ingredients were screened through Plackett–Burman design. Then ingredients with positive effect were considered as a mixture component and their combinations were evaluated on lipid productivity using mixture design. According to results, Zarrouk medium was considered as the base medium with the highest biomass and lipid productivity of 72 and 7.1 mg/l.d , respectively. Based on the Plackett–Burman design, out of eleven factors, molasses, NaNO3 and K2HPO4 demonstrated key roles in biomass and lipid productivity in mixotrophic conditions. Consequently, the selected three factors were investigated by mixture design. The results showed that high concentration of molasses causes decrease in biomass and lipid productivity due to high turbidity and a blend consisting of approximately 9.5 g/l molasses, 5 g/l NaNO3 and 0.15 g/l K2HPO4 was found as the optimum mixture with obtained lipid productivity of 115 mg/l.d. In conclusion, waste molasses can be used as a promising feedstock for cost effective cultivation of C. vulgaris.

Silphium integrifolium Michx. (Silflower) has been a promising subject for domestication as a perennial oilseed crop. This work was carried out to investigate the seed processing aspect of this effort. Selected physical properties of the seed were evaluated, seed milling to obtain enriched kernel fraction was conducted, and initial characterization of the seed protein was performed. There was wide variation in flat seed length (11.54 to 20.75 mm), width (4.61 to 11.76 mm), and thickness (0.92 to 1.63 mm). The thousand seed weight was 23.8 g but the tapped bulk density was only 189.58 g/L due to the presence of wing around the seed’s periphery. The kernel accounted for 56.14% of the seed weight and contained 31.00% oil. An enriched kernel fraction with 79.6% purity was obtained by roller-milling, sifting, and air classification. Linoleic (62.3%) and oleic (19.62%) acids were the major fatty acids in the oil. The defatted enriched kernel fraction contained 63.41% crude protein. Globulin, glutelin, albumin, and prolamin accounted for 55.63%, 19.28%, 16.38%, and 8.71% of the soluble proteins, respectively. At an extraction pH of 9, protein solubility was 62%. Maximum solubility (70%) was obtained at pH 10 while minimum solubility of 9% occurred between pH 4 and 5.5. Aside from the oil, the dehulling of silflower seeds also produced a high-protein defatted meal, which may be used as is or as a starting material for enriching the protein further into a protein isolate.

Glycerol monooleate (GMO)-stabilized liquid water-in-vegetable oil (W/VO) emulsions are difficult to stabilize due to the desorption of GMO from the W-VO interface towards the oil phase. This work improved the stability of GMO-stabilized liquid 20 wt% water-in-canola oil (W/CO) emulsion by modifying the dispersed aqueous phase composition with hydrogen bond-forming agents. As a control, 20 wt% water-in-mineral oil (W/MO) emulsion was also utilized. Different concentrations of hydrogen bond-forming agents (citric acid (CA), ascorbic acid (AA), low methoxyl pectin (LMP)) with and without salts (sodium chloride (S) or calcium chloride (Ca)) was added to the aqueous phase before emulsification, which enhanced emulsifier binding to the water-oil interface. The emulsions were characterized by phase separation, stability against accelerated gravitation, microstructure and rheology. W/CO emulsion without any aqueous phase additive destabilized instantly, whereas W/MO emulsion stayed stable. The addition of hydrogen bond-forming agents and salts significantly improved emulsion stability. LMP, with many hydrogen bond-forming groups, was able to provide the highest emulsion stability after 7 days in both oils compared to AA, CA and their mixtures with S. Emulsions with both oils formed weak gels with viscous and elastic characteristics due to the formation of an extensive network of water droplet aggregates. Overall, the hydrogen bond-forming agents interacted with GMO at the interface, thereby improving their presence at the water droplet surface, allowing significantly improved stability of GMO-stabilized liquid W/CO emulsions. The knowledge developed in this research can be useful in applying GMO in stabilizing liquid water-in-oil emulsion without using any crystal network.

Protein extraction from soybeans is a vital part of the soy industry. Traditionally, the extraction of soy protein has been done by alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation. As technology has advanced, more extraction techniques are superior to this traditional method. In this review, the composition and classification of soy protein are summarized. Next, the current emerging technologies for soy protein extraction are highlighted. Three extraction technologies, namely reverse micellar, enzyme-assisted and membrane ultrafiltration, are reviewed in detail. Finally, the research prospects and trends of soy protein extraction technology are also summarized.

Striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) roe is used for the production of traditional delicacies in Greece (avgotaracho), Japan (karasumi) and Italy (botargo). In Greece avgotaracho is a Protected Designation of Origin product and its special taste combined with its high nutritional value of this rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and bioactive compounds delicacy attracts many consumers. During the production of avgotaracho and the similar products some of the egg sacs (skeins) either break or have an inappropriate size (too small) and they can not be used for avgotaracho production. On the other hand the nutritional quality of the eggs in the broken or smaller skein is by no means inferior comparing to the rest. Proper valorization of the mullet roe by-products could lead to high nutrition value products. This work focuses on examining the potential valorization of these high nutritional value by-products for producing mullet roe oil. Three different extraction methods with potential of scale-up are examined. Namely pressure, supercritical extraction, solvent extraction are examined where mild temperature conditions and (wherever applicable) food-grade solvents are used. The oil yield, the composition of oils in fatty acids by GC-FID, the level of oil oxidation (peroxide value, p-anisidine value, K232 K268, TOTOX) and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS) are determined. The potential of the above extraction methods for the production of mullet roe oil in terms of yield and oil quality is discussed.

The initial oleogelation process (microstructuring) as well as the formulation are determinant to obtain the desired characteristics in oleogels with potential application in the industry. The microstructuring process in oleogels has been extensively studied by means of techniques highly sensitive to thermal variations, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). However, there are other readily available techniques and equipment that can be employed to perform similar evaluations. Non-isothermal nucleation kinetics by spectrophotometric methods can be used as alternatives to basic crystallization studies in oleogels. Therefore, in this research a comparison of both techniques is presented, highlighting their similarities, advantages and limitations, in the study of the microstructure of oleogels. Oleogels were obtained with a minimum concentration of gelator and another saturated one, using vegetable oils of different degrees of saturation. The crystallization profiles of the oleogels were obtained by DSC, a non-isothermal nucleation kinetics was performed from the molten system and the final microstructure was evaluated by optical microscopy. The Fisher-Turnbull and Avrami model was used to evaluate the behavior during microstructuring. A gap was observed during the crystallization process by DSC which can be evaluated by spectrophotometry. Differences in the microstructuring process were found in both methods due to the temperature ramp used and formulation variables. The results obtained by spectrophotometry indicate that it can be a good alternative, easily accessible in oleogel crystallization studies, when high sensitivity or very specific thermal parameters are not required.

The upgrading of oleyl alcohol synthesis via methyl oleate reduction using NaBH4 without H2 supply was investigated. It was possible to synthesize selectively the valuable unsaturated fatty alcohol with high yields. Non-catalytic and catalytic experiments were developed trying to improve the low final oleyl alcohol yield previously obtained. The effect of reaction temperature, methyl oleate/NaBH4 molar ratio and properties of different catalysts on final oleyl alcohol yield was analyzed. Thus, alumina-supported metal (M) catalysts (M = Fe, Ce, Mo) were synthesized by impregnation at incipient wetness. The M/Al2O3 catalysts were characterized in their chemical, textural, structural and acid-base properties using ICP, N2 physisorption, XRD and NH3 and CO2 TPD. During non-catalytic methyl oleate reduction final methyl oleate conversion and oleyl alcohol yield of 94% were obtained using a methyl oleate/NaBH4 molar ratio of 0.11 at 333 K. Catalytic activity of M/Al2O3 solids did not correlate with basic site number but increased as acid site number and ionic potential of M cations increase. This suggests that cations with high acid site number and polarizing power are the ones that promote the polarization of the ester C=O and anion [BH4]- bonds favoring de methyl oleate conversion. In addition, the reaction mechanism for fatty acid methyl ester reduction was investigated from a theoretical approach using Density Functional Theory method at B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) computational level. Results obtained during theoretical calculations confirmed that the formation of reducing alcoxyborohydride species is energetically favored and allowed to understand the events at microscopic level involved in the reaction mechanism.