Wax Concentration Research Articles

Study on the mixed deposition rate and phase transition thermodynamic parameters of crude oil wax crystals and hydrates

Throughout the development of deepwater oil and gas fields, the occurrence of mixed deposition involving wax and hydrate is a prevalent phenomenon. To understand this process, researchers have explored the kinetics and thermodynamic behavior governing the co-deposition of wax and hydrates. It was observed that the Gibbs free energy change of hydrate increases with increasing pressure, while the entropy change experiences a decrease under heightened pressure conditions. The Gibbs free energy change and entropy change of wax crystal precipitation exhibit an increase with rising wax concentration. In a 100 mL sample of simulated crude oil containing 10 vol% moisture and 2.5 wt% wax, the rate of solid phase deposition measures 0.1126 cm3/min when the temperature drops from 61 °C to 2 °C. The results exhibit that the dispersion of wax crystals within the oil phase serves to inhibit aggregation phenomenon during hydrate formation and can be effectively used to inhibit hydrate deposition.

Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics of Films from Glycerol Mixed Emulsified Carnauba Wax/Polyvinyl Alcohol.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based films have drawn significant attention owing to their potential applications in various industries. The application of wax to PVA films enhanced their resistance to dissolution and water infiltration. Nevertheless, waxed PVA films often exhibit inadequate mechanical properties owing to crack formation. In this study, we evaluated the impact of glycerol as a plasticizer in varying concentrations of Carnauba wax (CW). The addition of glycerol to the PVA/CW blend led to enhanced mechanical properties compared to the blend without glycerol. The functional group and morphology of the blends confirm glycerol compatibility with PVA/CW films. Glycerol was fully dispersed to form a consistent polymer matrix and equally improved the film's contact angle. Furthermore, the thermal property from differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis highlights the plasticizing effect of glycerol in PVA/CW films, potentially broadening their use in food packaging and wrapping applications.

Environmental Biomonitoring of Heavy and Toxic Metals Using Honeybees and Their Products—An Overview of Previous Research

Humans and bees share millennia of history that have resulted in ever-increasing connection and interdependence. Thus, today, it is impossible to ignore the influence of humans on bees, particularly regarding the decrease in their numbers due to environmental contamination. Although they do not cause immediate mortality, heavy and toxic metals, along with dangers such as bee diseases, pesticides, habitat destruction, and climate change, threaten the number of bees and should not be ignored. Honeybees, their colonies, and their products are recognized as accumulators of metals and biological indicators of the presence of these metals in all environmental components. This study is an overview of prominent research from the past three decades on heavy and toxic metal levels in honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), honey, wax, and pollen. This research compares metals such as Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in natural environments and in an environment where anthropogenic pressure manifests. The presented studies represent a range of research using analytical methods to determine the presence of heavy and toxic metals in different segments of bees and their products, linking these findings with the state of the environment. It has been repeatedly established that if heavy and toxic metals are present in higher concentrations in components of the environment that are under anthropogenic pressure, then their concentrations in bees, honey, and wax will also be higher. By summarizing this research in one place, this study can provide guidelines for future scientific work on this subject, promoting sustainable development through safe beekeeping and healthy bees.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed the role of PbrCYP94B in wax accumulation in pear fruit after bagging treatment

Preharvest fruit bagging is a safe and environmentally friendly production measure. Cuticular wax, as the first protective layer on the fruit surface, has important functions. However, the effects of preharvest bagging on cuticular wax synthesis in pears and the related molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Here, the impact of fruit bagging with different materials on cuticular wax synthesis in pear fruit, and the underlying molecular mechanism, were revealed from metabolomic, transcriptomic, morphological, and molecular biological perspectives. Our results revealed that, compared with that in the not bagged (NB) treatment group (0.59 mg/cm2), the total wax concentration was 1.32- and 1.37-fold greater in the single-layered white paper bag (WPB, 1.37 mg/cm2) and double-layered yellow–white paper bag, (YWPB, 1.40 mg/cm2) treatment groups, while it was slightly lower in the double-layered yellow–black paper bag (YBPB, 0.45 mg/cm2) group, which was consistent with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed 29 genes associated with cuticular wax synthesis. Overexpression of PbrCYP94B, which is a key gene in the wax synthesis pathway in pear fruit, increased the total wax and alkane contents. This study provides valuable insights for the creation of new pear germplasms with high wax contents.

Oleogel-based frying medium: influence of rice bran wax-canola oil oleogel on volatile profile in fried fish fillets

Oleogelation has proven to be a successful strategy for structuring oils. In recent years, the use of oleogels as a deep frying medium has gained popularity as an effective approach to minimise oil uptake and reduce the energy content of fried foods. This study was designed to evaluate an oleogel matrix consisting of rice bran wax and canola oil, prepared by oleogelation technique, as a deep frying medium. Two types of the oleogels (CRBO-3 with 3 g wax/100 g oil; CRBO-6 with 6 g wax/100 g oil) were formulated and these oleogels were tested as a frying medium for fish fillets. The prepared oleogels were compared with refined canola oil (CO, control) and evaluated for both the frying stability of the oils and the volatile profile of the fried fish fillets. In particular, differences were observed in the crystallization and melting profiles of oleogels before and after frying. Lower levels of total polar material, peroxide value and trans fatty acids contents were noticed in fish fillets fried in the oleogels. An increase in wax concentration had an impact on the volatile profile of fish fillets and lead significant increases in p-xylene, pentene-3-ol and nonanoic acid. In general, oleogel-based frying medium contributed to the formation of characteristic fish fillet including aroma notes of pineapple, balsamic and honey when compared to fish fried in refined canola oil. The findings suggest oleogels as an alternative frying medium for fish with reduced calorie value and improved aromatic quality.Graphical

Influence of Rice Bran Wax Concentration on the Physical Properties and Stability of Resveratrol-Loaded Glycerol-in-Oleogel Emulsions

Influence of Rice Bran Wax Concentration on the Physical Properties and Stability of Resveratrol-Loaded Glycerol-in-Oleogel Emulsions

Formulation and Stability Evaluation of Topical Creams Containing Arbutin and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate: Effects of Croda Wax Concentration on Physical Characteristics

Background: Arbutin and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are widely recognized for their exceptional antioxidant properties, making them valuable ingredients in treating various skin disorders. These compounds are frequently incorporated into skincare products aimed at improving skin health, reducing hyperpigmentation, and providing anti-aging benefits. Objective: The study aimed to develop and evaluate the stability of topical creams containing arbutin and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, using varying concentrations of Croda Wax as an emulsifying agent, to determine their efficacy and suitability for dermatological applications. Methods: Three formulations of skin lightening cream were prepared, each with different Croda Wax concentrations (2%, 2.5%, and 2.9%). The formulations underwent a water-in-oil emulsion process using a mechanical homogenizer. Physical characteristics such as color, odor, texture, and stability were assessed over 28 days. Stability was further evaluated through phase separation tests at centrifugation speeds of 4000, 4500, and 5000 rpm, and by observing changes under various temperatures and humidity conditions. Results: All formulations exhibited stability with no phase separation. The 2% Croda Wax formulation showed the most favorable results, maintaining a white color with minimal changes over 60 days. pH values ranged from 5.85 to 6.31, indicating stability suitable for skin applications. Conclusion: The formulated creams with arbutin and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate demonstrated excellent physical stability, making them suitable for addressing skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation and inflammation.

Plant traits mediate foliar uptake of deposited nitrogen by mature woody plants.

Increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition significantly disturbs ecosystem N cycle. Although foliar interception and uptake of N deposition can provide an important alternative N supply to forest ecosystems, the mechanisms regulating foliar N uptake from wet deposition are not fully understood. Here, we selected 19 woody species with a wide range of plant traits from different functional groups and conducted a 15N isotope labelling experiment through brushing 15NH4 + and 15NO3 - solution on canopy leaves. Our findings demonstrate that leaves can directly absorb N from wet deposition within a few hours. The average leaf 15N recoveries were 10% and 28% under 15NH4 + and 15NO3 - treatments across species, respectively, while twig N recoveries were only 1%-7% of leaf N recoveries. Differences in foliar N uptake efficiency among species were closely associated with leaf traits but were little influenced by meteorological conditions or soil nutrient status. Specifically, plants with higher leaf N concentration, larger specific leaf area and lower wax concentration exhibited higher leaf N recovery. Our results indicated that tree canopies could directly absorb N from atmospheric deposition. We highlight the critical role of leaf traits in determining canopy foliar N uptake, which may consequently influence plant competition under elevated N deposition.

Facile Preparation of Chitosan/Carnauba Wax Emulsion‐Based Coatings for Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Cellulose‐Based Food Packaging

ABSTRACTStudies have shown that fluoridated reagents for oil and water resistance are harmful to the human bodies and the environment. Consequently, the developments of nontoxic, environmentally friendly, fluorine‐free and degradable materials have received increasing attentions. Here, we introduce a novel method for fabricating a hydrophobic and oleophobic paper‐based packaging material through the application of chitosan/carnauba wax emulsions. These emulsions were prepared via high‐shear homogenization, blending melted carnauba wax with chitosan in acetic acid aqueous solutions. The stable chitosan/carnauba wax emulsion with particle size of 430 nm was prepared at the chitosan concentration of 1.5 wt%, the carnauba wax concentration of 8 wt% and temperature of 85 °C. After 10 g/m2 of chitosan/carnauba wax emulsion was applied to the paper surface, the oil and water resistance of the paper was significantly improved. The experimental results of kit rating value, oil contact angle, Cobb60 value and water contact angle were 9.5 ± 0.6, 86.6 ± 2.1°, 8.90 ± 1.62 g/m2 and 123.5 ± 2.6°, respectively. The application of chitosan/carnauba wax emulsion coating on papers provided a significantly lower water vapour transmission rate (WVTR, 78.45 ± 18.92 g/m2·24 h) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR, 94.26 ± 20.21 g/m2·24 h) as compared to the original paper, which met the needs of strawberry packaging.

Binary wax oleogels: Improving physical properties and oxidation stability through substitution of carnauba wax with beeswax.

High concentrations of carnauba waxes (CRWs) that can compromise organoleptic properties are required to create self-sustained and functional oleogels. The weak physical properties and stability of 4% w/w CRW-rice bran oil (RBO) oleogel were addressed by substituting CRW with beeswax (BW) in different weight ratios. The texture profile analyzer revealed that substituting only 10% (weight ratio) of CRW with BW improved the hardness compared to the mono-CRW oleogel. The hardness of binary oleogels increased gradually as the proportion of BW increased. At a BW ratio of 70% or more, the hardness was three times higher than that of mono-BW oleogel. Rheology analysis showed the same trend as the large deformation test; however, the hardest binary oleogels had lower critical strain and yield point compared to the mono-wax oleogels, implying that they are more prone to lose their structure upon applied stress. Nevertheless, nearly all binary mixtures (except for 10%BW90%CRW) showed oil-binding capacities above 99%, suggesting improved nucleation and crystallization process. Polarized light microscopy showed the coexistence of BW and CRW crystals and changes in the size and arrangement of wax crystals upon proportional changes of the two waxes. X-ray diffraction confirmed no differences in the peaks' location, and all oleogels had β' polymorphism. Differential scanning calorimetry showed eutectic melting behavior in some binary blends. Oxidation stability in the binary wax oleogels improved as compared to the mono-wax oleogel and bulk RBO. BW and CRW mixtures have promising oil-structuring abilities and have various properties at different ratios that have the potential to be used as solid fat substitutes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: As a trending green oil-structuring technology, oleogelation has shown great potential to reduce saturated fats in food systems. The current research provides valuable fundamental information on the strong synergistic interactions between beeswax and carnauba wax that have the potential to be used as solid fat substitutes created with a much lower total concentration of the required wax. This will help create wax oleogels with better organoleptic properties and less negative waxy mouthfeel. Such knowledge could prove beneficial for the development of healthy products that have potential applications in meat, bakery, dairy, pharmaceutical, as well as cosmetic industries.

Postharvest Responses of Durian (Durio zibethinus cv. Puyat) Fruit to a Paraffin-based Wax as Surface Coating

Surface coatings have been used to delay deterioration and prolong the shelf-life of perishable crops. In this study, physico-chemical characteristics of ‘Puyat’ durian fruit surface-coated with a paraffin-based wax and held under ambient conditions (25.95 ± 0.91 °C, 90.5 ± 5.0% RH) were evaluated up to 12 d after treatment (DAT). The concentrations used were 0, 10, 15, and 20%. Weight loss was highest in control fruit while visual quality was better in wax-treated fruit at 12 DAT. Dehiscence was delayed by up to 5 d in fruit treated with 20% wax. Pulp firmness was better retained in higher wax concentrations at 4 and 8 DAT. Total soluble solids were lower by up to 44% in all surface-coated fruit. Electrolyte leakage decreased by up to 80% in surface-coated fruit (20%) relative to the untreated lot at 8 DAT. By the end of storage, all treated fruit had greener (lower a*) rinds compared to the untreated lot, hence indicating a delay in ripening. In all treatments, ascorbic acid content declined while total phenolic content was maintained with storage. Thus, the paraffin-based wax could potentially delay the ripening of ‘Puyat’ durian by delaying dehiscence and slowing down weight loss – while not affecting the fruit’s antioxidant potential.

Investigation on coupling deposition and plugging of hydrate and wax in gas–liquid annular flow: Experiments and mechanism

The coupling deposition and plugging caused by hydrate formation and wax precipitation during the development of deep water natural gas resources bring new industrial challenges and theoretical difficulty. We designed a single-pass pipeline with two types to investigate deposition behavior and systematically performed the coupling deposition and plugging of hydrate and wax experiments in gas–liquid annular flow. The experimental results illustrate that the single solid phase of hydrate is covered layer sheet deposition, while the coupling solid phase of hydrate and wax is bulk aggregations arch bridge deposition. Meanwhile, the natural eddy zone in reducing pipeline accelerates coupling solid particles deposition. Our finds provided the first knowledge on the double effect that wax crystals inhibit particles adhesion and gel network increases aggregations arch bridge blockage. For the low water content in emulsion system, the gel network provides gathering place for hydrate particles, and the arch bridge structure formed by aggregations accelerates the pipeline blockage. The plugging time is shortened by up to 72.6% with the wax concentration increase from 0 wt% to 3 wt%. For the high water content in emulsion system, the majority of wax crystals adsorbed on the hydrate particles and reduce particles cohesion force, which increase the plugging time. Combined with the microscopic morphology evolution perspective of hydrate particles coupled wax, the coupling deposition of hydrate and wax in gas–liquid annular flow has four stages: gas–liquid flow, coupling solid phase formation, coupling solid phase deposition and sloughing, and coupling solid phase plugging. This study can provide theoretical support and design basis for flow assurance program of deep water gas fields and low temperature natural gas transportation pipelines.

Multi-scale structural comparisons of W/O and O/W/O beeswax-based emulsions

O/W/O double emulsions are an advanced oil-structuring approach that has been attracting considerable interest in recent years. However, their structural characteristics remain unsolved compared to conventional W/O emulsions. To clarify the differences from a multi-scale perspective, we prepared W/O emulsions and O/W/O double emulsions with the same components. For the stabilization of the O/W interface, modified pea protein isolate (MPPI) was utilized. A combination of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) and beeswax (BW) was used for the stabilization of the W/O emulsions. Then, texture and oil binding capacity (OBC), rheological properties, and microstructure of emulsions were recorded to compare the differences samples. Results showed that all the emulsions kept excellent storage stability and similar crystallization and melting profiles over two weeks of storage. Interestingly, texture exhibited significant variations, with oleogelled O/W/O double emulsions possessing an improved firmness and OBC compared to W/O emulsions. This was probably caused by a larger fraction of the dispersed phase and a higher wax concentration in the outer oil phase. Further, the stabilization mechanism of the emulsions was illustrated. BW, in synergy with PGPR, could stabilize the oil-water interface as Pickering particles, providing a physical barrier to improve the emulsion stability. Also, BW acted as the gelator of the bulk phase, forming a viscoelastic network to support the structural function of the emulsions. Additionally, the droplet-droplet interaction caused by the dispersed phase could promote the formation of the gelling network. Altogether, this research provides a multi-scale fundamental understanding on the structural comparison between W/O and O/W/O double emulsions, and indicates that O/W/O double emulsions with less wax or gelator content can achieve the same structural functionality as W/O emulsions, thus presenting superior industrial potential.

Optimization of organogels prepared with turpentine oil and wax mixtures via response surface methodology and determination of vaporization kinetic parameters.

The main aim of the study is to investigate the thermal, textural and vaporization behaviors of turpentine oil (representing essential oils) organogels prepared with wax mixtures (beeswax, BW; shellac wax, SHW) instead of a single wax. The second aim was to determine the optimum level of wax addition to minimize vaporization of volatiles using response surface methodology. Both weighing and thermogravimetric analyses showed that when the total wax concentration increased, the vaporization was decelerated. The variation of the hardness and melting point values depended on both wax types and amounts in the mixtures. Additionally, the kinetics of the vaporization of the volatile compounds at 37 °C were evaluated, and both first- and second-order reaction kinetic models fitted well for the vaporization with R2 values of 0.96-0.99. The organogelation increased the thermal stability and limited the release of volatiles. The multiple response optimization results showed that the melting point, the reaction rate constant and the weight loss of the organogels produced with 24.43% BW and 17.68% SHW were 44.40 °C, 4.00 × 10-3 day-1 and 30.02%, respectively. As a result, essential oil organogels produced with a wax mixture instead of a single wax can provide controlled release of volatiles as well as tailored texture and melting range. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Making wood inspection easier: FTIR spectroscopy and machine learning for Brazilian native commercial wood species identification.

The molecular structure of wood is mainly based on cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose. However, low concentrations of lipids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, fatty acids, resin acids, and waxes can also be found. In general, their color, smell, texture, quantity, and distribution of pores are used in human sensory analysis to identify native wood species, which may lead to erroneous classification, impairing quality control and inspection of commercialized wood. This study developed a fast and accurate method to discriminate Brazilian native commercial wood species using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and machine learning algorithms. It not only solves the limitations of traditional methods but also goes beyond as it allows fast analyses to be obtained at low cost and high accuracy. In this work, we provide the identification of five Brazilian native wood species: Angelim-pedra (Hymenolobium petraeum Ducke), Cambara (Gochnatia polymorpha), Cedrinho (Erisma uncinatum), Champagne (Dipteryx odorata), and Peroba do Norte (Goupia glabra Aubl). The results showed the great potential of FTIR and multivariate analysis for wood sample classification; here, the Linear SVM differentiated the five wood species with an accuracy of 98%. The developed method allows industries, laboratories, companies, and control bodies to identify the nature of the wood product after being extracted and semi-manufactured.

Anti-skin ageing activities of rice (Oryza sativa) bran soft and hard waxes in cultured skin cells.

Rice (Oryza sativa) bran waxes, the by-products of rice bran oil manufacturing, are widely used as inactive components in several preparations. Nevertheless, the function of rice bran waxes against skin ageing has never been reported. This study aimed to investigate thermal property and fatty acid profile of rice bran waxes, including rice bran soft (RBS) and hard (RBH) waxes, and the activities against skin ageing in cultured skin cells. Thermal property and fatty acid profile of rice bran waxes were analysed by differential scanning calorimetry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The cytotoxicity assay of waxes was performed in B16F10 melanoma cells, human skin fibroblasts and co-culture cells of HaCaT cells and human skin fibroblasts. The non-cytotoxic concentrations of waxes were evaluated for their activities against skin ageing, including melanogenesis assay, antioxidant activity, collagen content analysis, matrix metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 inhibitory assay and anti-inflammatory activity. Thermal property indicated the endotherm peaks with melting temperatures at 40.89 ± 0.27°C and 69.64 ± 0.34°C for RBS and RBH, respectively. The main fatty acids in RBS were oleic (31.68 ± 0.75%) and linoleic acids (27.19 ± 0.40%), whereas those in RBH were palmitic (36.24 ± 1.08%) and stearic acids (35.21 ± 4.51%). The cytotoxicity assay in single cells and co-culture cells showed the non-cytotoxicity of RBS (0.0001-1 mg/mL) and RBH (0.0001-0.1 mg/mL). The anti-skin ageing activities of 1 mg/mL RBS and 0.1 mg/mL RBH included the melanogenesis inhibition by suppression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 enzymes, the antioxidant activity by cellular protection against cell damage and cell death, the collagen stimulation, the matrix metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 suppression and the anti-inflammation. The study results suggest that RBS and RBH can potentially be applied as the functional ingredients in formulations against skin ageing as well as provide the superior benefit on skin moisturization.

A Comprehensive Biochemical Characterization of Hybrid Grouper Larvae (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂) during Yolk-Sac Larval Development.

To investigate the shifts in the biochemical composition of hybrid grouper during the early larval stages, we collected samples at various developmental milestones, spanning from newly hatched larvae (stage I) to 4 days after hatching (stage V). Our findings revealed several notable trends: (1) The total length of hybrid grouper larvae exhibited a significant increase as the yolk-sac absorption progressed from stage I to V. Concurrently, there was a marked decrease in yolk volume and oil volume during the transition from stage I to III, followed by a gradual decline from stage III to V. (2) Dry weight and total lipid content displayed a rapid reduction throughout the larval development period, while the total protein content exhibited a declining trend. (3) The concentrations of triacylglycerols and wax esters/steryl esters decreased considerably, particularly at stage V. However, no differences were observed among the contents of ketones, hydrocarbons, and sterols. (4) As yolk-sac larvae developed from stage I to V, a significant reduction was observed in the levels of essential amino acids (EAAs), such as leucine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, glycine, alanine, serine, proline, and tyrosine. This trend was also observed for non-EAAs and total amino acids, with fluctuations in the content of other amino acids. (5) There was a significant decrease in the levels of specific fatty acids, including C16:0, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), C18:0, 18:1n-9, and C20:4n-6. In contrast, the contents of C22:6n-3, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 PUFA, n-6 PUFA, and the combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as well as the DHA/EPA ratio, remained stable from stage I to III but declined thereafter. (6) During the early developmental stages, the utilization sequence of fatty acids followed a pattern of prioritizing SFAs, followed by MUFAs, n-6 PUFA, and n-3 PUFA. These findings provide further insights into the nutritional priorities of hybrid grouper larvae during their early development, with a particular emphasis on lipids and fatty acids as vital energy sources. Additionally, our results highlight variations in the efficiency of utilization among different types of fatty acids, while protein utilization remained relatively stable, characterized by the selective consumption of amino acid content.

Efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles and wax coatings on maintaining post-harvest quality of “Murcott” mandarins

Because of its high degree of biodegradability, chitosan is widely used as a component in food packaging. However, its poor physical properties, such as permeability, limit its applicability. Consequently, applying nano chitosan is regarded as the most effective solution to this issue. In the current study, we studied the effect of using different materials in the coating process on the quality of “Murcott” mandarin during cold storage. We used different concentrations of nano chitosan (50 and 100 ppm) without wax and 100 ppm nano chitosan with wax. We investigated the impact of these compounds on the chemical composition and quality of fruits. The most successful treatment for preventing weight loss from discarded fresh fruit was a combination of wax and 100 ppm nano chitosan. This combination also prevented the deterioration of vitamin C, maintained the fruit pulp, and preserved the fruit's superior taste during cold storage and shelf life. It also maintains a better total soluble solids and total acidity level than other treatments. In addition, the total antioxidants and enzymes levels indicates no degradation of plant tissues compared to those not coated with nano chitosan. It also reduces the microbial load on the coated fruits. Consequently, this coating combination could suggest prolonging post-harvest life and increasing the marketing period of mandarin fruits.

The feasibility of marine oleogel based on fish oil canning industry by‐products, structured with beeswax and rice bran wax

SummaryThe presence of trans fatty acid in food is often reduced through the use of fat replacers or oleogel technology. However, these alternatives typically encounter a scarcity of resources, specifically vegetable oil, which serves as the primary raw material. In fact, oil derived from marine, particularly fish oil by‐products, can be valorised as a colloidal architecture. Therefore, this study aims to assess the optimal type of oleogelator by applying different concentrations of beeswax (BW) and rice bran wax (RBW) in the generating of oleogel based on fish oil by‐product. Oleogel thermogram showed a shift in the melting point with increasing temperatures for concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15%. Oleogel containing 15% BW and 5% BW had the highest (99.27 ± 0.55%) and lowest (78.20 ± 2.54%) oil binding capacity, respectively. The rheology evaluation showed dynamic shifts in oleogel system as the type and concentration of oleogelator were altered, underscoring the importance of G′ and G″. The use of a 10% oleogelator generated preferable results for both BW and RBW in terms of melting point, OBC, viscous behaviour and appearance of oleogel. Furthermore, this selected oleogel strategy exhibited similar textural properties to commercial margarine when used in a sponge cake as the food model system.

Polymer nanocomposites to modify crude oil waxy crystallization: Influence of content and type of clay (mineral)

Some operational problems in the oil industry are due to the precipitation of paraffins. To prevent them, a possible strategy is the use of polymeric additives. Polymeric nanocomposites have proved to be a promising alternative in waxy model systems. The article reports the evaluation of nanocomposites of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (10 mol% vinyl acetate) (EVA) with palygorskite, montmorillonite or halloysite as pour point reducers in different types of crude oil: two paraffinic oils (°API = 26.4 and 28.8) and one oil without n-alkanes, which was doped with different wax concentrations (pour point of 56–58 °C). The performance of nanocomposites was evaluated by pour point (PP), microcalorimeter (μDSC), optical microscope and rheological measurements. The nanocomposites reduced PP of different oils, being more efficient than pure EVA since the nanocomposites reduced PP by up to 43.5 °C, whereas the EVA reduced PP by a maximum of 9 °C. In general, the additives modified the precipitated wax crystals, but they had difficulty acting in the oil with the highest n-alkane content. Nanocomposites reduced the wax appearance temperature of the oil with 24% w/w n-alkanes by approximately 12 °C. They also reduced the viscosity of the oil samples. Among the evaluated materials, EVA:palygorskite and EVA:halloysite nanocomposites were the most efficient pour point reducers.