Beeswax Fractions Used as Potential Oil Gelling Agents

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of this work was the fractionation of beeswax to investigate the phase behavior of binary blends of the fractions and their potential use as gelling agents in edible oleogels. We have extracted seven distinctive fractions, using preparative flash chromatography with eluents permitted to be used in the processing of food raw materials. The odor profile of the fractions was characterized. The high purity of collected fractions was shown through thin‐layer chromatography, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and high‐performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scattering detector methods for hydrocarbons (94.8%), monoesters (97.6%), and mixed mono‐, di‐, and triesters fraction (98.7%). Free fatty acids and fatty alcohol fractions had lower purity which equals 82.6% and 39%, respectively. The analysis of the binary pseudo phase diagram revealed that all fractions combined with hydrocarbons express eutectic behavior. Combinations of all other fractions resulted in the formation of solid solutions. This study shows that the texture of oleogels can be improved by using a combination of various fractions of beeswax instead of native wax.