Characteristics and Functional Properties of Bioactive Oleogels: A Current Review

Oleogels have been a revolutionary innovation in food science in terms of their health benefits and unique structural properties. They provide a healthier alternative to traditional solid or animal fats. They have improved oxidative stability and nutritional value to maintain the desirable sensory q...

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Main Authors: Md. Jannatul Ferdaus, Niaz Mahmud, Sudipta Talukder, Roberta Claro da Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Gels
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/1/69
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author Md. Jannatul Ferdaus
Niaz Mahmud
Sudipta Talukder
Roberta Claro da Silva
author_facet Md. Jannatul Ferdaus
Niaz Mahmud
Sudipta Talukder
Roberta Claro da Silva
author_sort Md. Jannatul Ferdaus
collection DOAJ
description Oleogels have been a revolutionary innovation in food science in terms of their health benefits and unique structural properties. They provide a healthier alternative to traditional solid or animal fats. They have improved oxidative stability and nutritional value to maintain the desirable sensory qualities of lipid-based foods. Moreover, oleogels offer an ideal carrier for poorly water-soluble bioactive compounds. The three-dimensional structure of oleogels can protect and deliver bioactive compounds in functional food products. Bioactive compounds also affect the crystalline behavior of oleogelators, the physical properties of oleogels, and storage stability. Generally, different incorporation techniques are applied to entrap bioactive compounds in the oleogel matrix depending on their characteristics. These approaches enhance the bioavailability, controlled release, stability of bioactive compounds, and the shelf life of oleogels. The multifunctionality of oleogels extends their applications beyond fat replacements, e.g., food preservation, nutraceutical delivery, and even novel innovations like 3D food printing. Despite their potential, challenges such as large-scale production, cost efficiency, and consumer acceptance remain areas for further exploration. This review emphasizes the understanding of the relationship between the structure of oleogels and their functional properties to optimize their design in different food applications. It also highlights the latest advancements in bioactive oleogels, focusing on how they incorporate bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, essential oils, and flavonoids into oleogels. The impact of these compounds on the gelation process, storage stability, and overall functionality of oleogels is also critically examined.
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spelling doaj-art-b9d1a0beca994b9fb78f3237ceacbb1c2025-01-24T13:34:01ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-01-011116910.3390/gels11010069Characteristics and Functional Properties of Bioactive Oleogels: A Current ReviewMd. Jannatul Ferdaus0Niaz Mahmud1Sudipta Talukder2Roberta Claro da Silva3Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAFood and Nutritional Sciences Program, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAFood and Nutritional Sciences Program, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAFood and Nutritional Sciences Program, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAOleogels have been a revolutionary innovation in food science in terms of their health benefits and unique structural properties. They provide a healthier alternative to traditional solid or animal fats. They have improved oxidative stability and nutritional value to maintain the desirable sensory qualities of lipid-based foods. Moreover, oleogels offer an ideal carrier for poorly water-soluble bioactive compounds. The three-dimensional structure of oleogels can protect and deliver bioactive compounds in functional food products. Bioactive compounds also affect the crystalline behavior of oleogelators, the physical properties of oleogels, and storage stability. Generally, different incorporation techniques are applied to entrap bioactive compounds in the oleogel matrix depending on their characteristics. These approaches enhance the bioavailability, controlled release, stability of bioactive compounds, and the shelf life of oleogels. The multifunctionality of oleogels extends their applications beyond fat replacements, e.g., food preservation, nutraceutical delivery, and even novel innovations like 3D food printing. Despite their potential, challenges such as large-scale production, cost efficiency, and consumer acceptance remain areas for further exploration. This review emphasizes the understanding of the relationship between the structure of oleogels and their functional properties to optimize their design in different food applications. It also highlights the latest advancements in bioactive oleogels, focusing on how they incorporate bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, essential oils, and flavonoids into oleogels. The impact of these compounds on the gelation process, storage stability, and overall functionality of oleogels is also critically examined.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/1/69oleogelsbioactive compoundsincorporationdelivery methodsbioactive oleogels
spellingShingle Md. Jannatul Ferdaus
Niaz Mahmud
Sudipta Talukder
Roberta Claro da Silva
Characteristics and Functional Properties of Bioactive Oleogels: A Current Review
Gels
oleogels
bioactive compounds
incorporation
delivery methods
bioactive oleogels
title Characteristics and Functional Properties of Bioactive Oleogels: A Current Review
title_full Characteristics and Functional Properties of Bioactive Oleogels: A Current Review
title_fullStr Characteristics and Functional Properties of Bioactive Oleogels: A Current Review
title_full_unstemmed Characteristics and Functional Properties of Bioactive Oleogels: A Current Review
title_short Characteristics and Functional Properties of Bioactive Oleogels: A Current Review
title_sort characteristics and functional properties of bioactive oleogels a current review
topic oleogels
bioactive compounds
incorporation
delivery methods
bioactive oleogels
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/1/69
work_keys_str_mv AT mdjannatulferdaus characteristicsandfunctionalpropertiesofbioactiveoleogelsacurrentreview
AT niazmahmud characteristicsandfunctionalpropertiesofbioactiveoleogelsacurrentreview
AT sudiptatalukder characteristicsandfunctionalpropertiesofbioactiveoleogelsacurrentreview
AT robertaclarodasilva characteristicsandfunctionalpropertiesofbioactiveoleogelsacurrentreview