Organogels as nutraceutical carriers: Effect of addition of lecithin,
tocopherols, and EPA/DHA on properties of candelilla wax-soybean oil
organogels
Abstract
Organogels are semisolid and 3D systems in which both an organic liquid
solvent and other dispersed particles are entrapped. Today there is not
much information about the potential of organogels as carriers of
lipophilic nutraceuticals. Therefore, in this work, the preparation and
characterization of soybean oil-based organogels with candelilla wax
(CW) and lecithin, tocopherol, or EPA/DHA were studied. Soybean oil was
structured with 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0% w/w of CW. In the organogels,
the visual appearance, thermal stability, color parameters,
microstructure, hardness, and rheological properties were analyzed.
Results showed that soybean oil was successfully structured into an
array of solid-like organogels varying in concentrations of CW and added
nutraceutical compounds. Increasing CW concentration yielded stronger
3D-network gel formation (type 5 or solid organogel). All organogels
were stable at 5, 25, and 35°C during the cyclization process. The
nutraceuticals affected the color parameters and 3D network structure.
Larger crystalline spherulites and a uniform microstructure were
observed, especially in organogels formulated with 4.0% w/w of CW and
lecithin. In comparison with the control, organogels (4.0% w/w) with
tocopherol or EPA/DHA required lower shear stress to flow whereas
lecithin required higher shear stress to flow. Texture analysis showed
that organogels with nutraceuticals presented higher hardness, this
behavior was attributed to the formation of a larger and softer crystal
networks. In conclusion, soybean oil-based organogels formulated with
lecithin, tocopherol, or EPA/DHA yielded stable organogels with
promising properties as nutraceutical carriers.