Microcrystalline cellulose effects on the rheology of mixed oleogels structured with candelilla wax and saturated fat

The structuration processes of mixed oleogels produced with candelilla wax (CW, 0 or 3%), fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FH, 5-15%), and microcrystalline cellulose (MC, 0-9%) were studied to define their rheological effects. During the cooling CW crystals performed as nucleation sites for FH. The elastic modulus (G’) of oleogels with FH and 3% CW were more than two orders of magnitude higher than those produced with 0% CW. Adding MC to the oleogels increased slightly the G’. Independently of the amount of MC, oleogels structured with increasing amounts of FH and 0% CW showed the elastic properties scaling of colloidal gels. This behavior was lost by adding 3% CW, implying that in mixed FH-CW oleogels, the CW crystal network dominated the oleogel rheology. The flow point and the mechanical reversibility of oleogels and commercial butter (CB) was also determined. CB showed flow points at 44 and 59% strain and mechanical reversibility values of 29 and 35% of G’ measured in a pre-shear step. Adding MC to oleogels structured with FH and 0% CW increased their flow point (37.2%) near those of CB. This effect was not produced in mixed FH-3% CW oleogels. The mechanical recovery of oleogels produced with FH, MC, and 0% CW tend to decrease as the FH content increased. CW and MC did not show a simple concentration–effect relationship for the mechanical recovery. Nonetheless, oleogels structured with 3% CW and 10% FH and 6-9% MC showed mechanical recovery (~60%) close to that of CB.

Effect of Water Content and Pectin on the Viscoelastic Improvement of Water-in-Canola Oil Emulsions

This study aimed to investigate gelation in glycerol monooleate (GMO)-stabilized water-in-canola oil (W/CO) emulsions by increasing water content (20–50 wt.%) and the addition of low methoxyl pectin (LMP) in the aqueous phase. A constant ratio of GMO to water was used to keep a similar droplet size in all emulsions. Hydrogenated soybean oil (7 wt.%) was used to provide network stabilization in the continuous phase. All fresh emulsions with LMP in the aqueous phase formed a stable and self-supported matrix with higher viscosity and gel strength than emulsions without LMP. Emulsion viscosity and gel strength increased with an increase in water content. All emulsions showed gel-like properties (storage moduli (G’) > loss moduli (G’’)) related to the presence of LMP in the aqueous phase and increased water content. Freeze/thaw analysis using a differential scanning calorimeter showed improved stability of the water droplets in the presence of LMP in the aqueous phase. This study demonstrated the presence of LMP in the aqueous phase, its interaction with GMO at the interface, and fat crystals in the continuous phase that could support the water droplets’ aggregation to obtain stable elastic W/CO emulsions that could be used as low-fat table spreads.

Electrochemical Hydrogen Production Using Separated-Gas Cells for Soybean Oil Hydrogenation

Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it is not possible to find it in its purest state in nature. In this study, two-stage experimentation was carried out. The first stage was hydrogen production. The second stage was an electrochemical process to hydrogenate soybean oil in a PEM fuel cell. In the fist stage a Zirfon Perl UTP 500 membrane was used in an alkaline hydrolizer of separated gas to produce hydrogen, achieving 9.6 L/min compared with 5.1 L/min, the maximum obtained using a conventional membrane. The hydrogen obtained was used in the second stage to feed the fuel cell hydrogenating the soybean oil. Hydrogenated soybean oil showed a substantial diminished iodine index from 131 to 54.85, which represents a percentage of 58.13. This happens when applying a voltage of 90 mV for 240 min, constant temperature of 50 °C and one atm. This result was obtained by depositing 1 mg of Pt/cm 2 in the cathode of the fuel cell. This system represents a viable alternative for the use of hydrogen in energy generation.