Feasibility study of a natural vinaigrette from olive (Olea europaea) oil and lemon (Citrus limonium) juice-based lemon albedo extract

Abstract

The present paper reports on the feasibility study of a natural vinaigrette from olive (Olea europaea) oil and lemon (Citrus limonium) juice-based lemon albedo extract. The albedo extract was prepared at different albedo to lemon juice ratios. The physical stability of different vinaigrette samples, in terms of creaming behaviour, was adopted as quality criterion. The most stable sample was then analysed for its rheological behaviour. According to preliminary results, the most physically stable vinaigrette could be obtained at albedo: lemon juice ratio of 1:15.1 (w/w). The corresponding dressing showed a stability of six days and a shear-thinning type rheological behaviour. So, the formulation of natural vinaigrette from olive oil, lemon juice and lemon albedo is feasible but such formulation is of short-term physical stability, which is a general well-known characteristic of natural and minimally processed food products. In our opinion, this study merits further research, in order to: i) better optimize the vinaigrette formulation, and ii) characterize the functional properties of the final product.