Author(s): CARVALHO, L.; ANDREANI, L.; LUZ, S. M.; SILVA, S. M. e; VALADARES, L. F.

Summary: The oleogelation technique is one innovative method applied for oil structuring and producing the so-called oleogels, which have the potential for various applications, such as reduce trans and saturated fats in foods and drug delivery. Several methods and/or combinations of them can be used to promote oleogelation and are usually divided into direct dispersion and indirect methods, such as emulsion, solvent exchange, and porous solid materials, such as foams and aerogels. Aerogels are solid materials with high specific surface area, high porosity, and very low density, which is suitable for oil sorption. In this work, pure and composites aerogels of potato starch and microfibrillated cotton cellulose were prepared via freeze-drying and tested as templates for oleogel. The increase in starch concentration increases the density and reduces the porosity of the aerogel as consequence of the higher solids content in the aqueous dispersions. The composites showed the morphology of conglutinates and planar aggregates, but superior mechanical properties compared to pure biopolymers, with improvement in elastic modulus and plasticity, as well as greater thermal stability. The higher oil absorption capacity was observed on pure cellulose aerogel (179.42 g/g). Although the addition of starch reduced the absorption capacity of the composites, they have excellent absorption capacities, ranging from 18.95 to 55.59 g/g and an oil holding capacity of up to 81.54%. These results show that cellulose and starch aerogels, hydrophilic polysaccharides, can be used to structure oil and produce oleogel indirectly by the oil sorption mechanism, having potential for oil absorption and delivery.

Publication year: 2024

Types of publication: Paper in annals and proceedings

Unit: Embrapa Agroenergy

Keywords: Biofabrication, Cellulose, Cotton, Freeze drying, Oils, Starch