Ethylcellulose oleogels of oil glycerolysis products as functional adipose tissue mimetics

Abstract

Replicating the functionality of animal fat with its plant/microbial counterparts plays a key role in successful design of plant-based analogues of animal-derived foods. Given the intricate structure of animal adipose tissue, merely substituting animal fats in plant foods with saturated bulk fats and oils often results in compromised mechanical and sensory attributes. Animal adipose tissue is comprised of adipocytes encapsulated by connective tissue. Simply replacing this tissue with coconut oil will not succeed in creating a true meat mimetic. Enzymatically glycerolized oils are derived from the conversion of native triacylglycerols in oils into partial glycerides. They are a promising fat alternative that could diminish the need for tropical and hydrogenated oils in plant-based meat products. Oils can be converted into fats using a mild enzymatic reaction without the use of hydrogenation or addition of saturated hardstocks. In this study, we explored the potential of oleogels made from glycerolysis products to mimic adipose tissue. Utilizing various enzymatically structured oils, we formulated oleogels with ethylcellulose (EC) of differing molecular weights (EC20 and EC45) at a 5% concentration. The thermal, microstructural, and mechanical properties of the oleogels were compared to those of whole pork, beef, and lamb adipose tissue. In general, the thermal and structural characteristics of both EC45 and EC20 oleogels closely matched those of the glycerolysis products they originated from. Mechanical properties largely depended on the solid fat content, with oleogel systems richer in saturated fatty acids exhibiting more ordered and rigid structure, akin to adipose tissue. Additionally, pronounced resemblance was observed in thermal softening behavior of some of oleogel systems and that of animal adipose tissue. Our findings highlight the potential of EC oleogels from glycerolysis products in creating meat substitutes, thus preventing the characteristic oil-loss from plant-based meat alternatives when cooked, which lead to dry and grainy sensory textures.