Characterization of acorn oil and its application on carnauba wax-based oleogel and chocolate spread

This study aimed to characterize acorn oil (AO) and carnauba wax-based acorn oil oleogel (AOG) and the effect of AOG replacement on the textural and sensorial properties of chocolate spread. Oil yields from cold-pressing (Quercus longipes) were around 14%wt with a nice nutty smell. The main fatty acids of AO were included oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acid (44, 38, and 10%wt) respectively. The prepared AOG using 6%wt of carnauba wax (CW) showed high strength (G' > 100 mPa) and oil binding capacity ∼87 %. Based on microstructure assays platelet-like and β' polymorphic triglyceride crystalline networks were formed in AOG. The Pickering AOG/water emulsions in the volumetric ratio of from 90:10 up to 40:60 were stable due to the placement of CW-based AOG particles at the interface of water/oil as Pickering stabilizer. The high physical stability of the emulgel against phase separation is considered an important advantage for using oleogel in chocolate spread formulations instead of vegetable oils, which usually have a high percentage of oil release. The spreads prepared by replacing 50%wt AOG with butter showed acceptable textural and sensorial properties.