Exploring how changes to the steroidal core alter oleogelation capability in sterol: γ-oryzanol blends

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Oleogels based on sterols and sterol esters, like β-sitosterol and γ-oryzanol, are promising systems.
• The role of molecular structure, specifically methyl groups at the C30 position, in gelation is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of C30 methyl groups on both sterols and sterol esters on oleogel formation and structure.
• To compare the gelation behavior of lanosterol and saponified γ-oryzanol with established β-sitosterol/γ-oryzanol systems.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of saponified γ-oryzanol.
• Gelation studies with lanosterol and γ-oryzanol, and lanosterol alone.
• Molecular docking simulations.
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
• Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS).

Main Results:

• Lanosterol and saponified γ-oryzanol formed gels with γ-oryzanol, and lanosterol also formed a gel independently.
• All lanosterol-based gels were weaker than β-sitosterol/γ-oryzanol gels.
• Saponified γ-oryzanol gels showed similar structures to β-sitosterol gels.
• Lanosterol gels exhibited a distinct head-to-tail stacking structure.

Conclusions:

• The presence of C30 methyl groups on both sterol and sterol ester components influences oleogel properties.
• Molecular structure variations, like lanosterol's stacking motif, lead to significant differences in gel network formation and mechanical strength.