Formation of oleogels based on edible lipid materials

Oleogels may be defined as lipophilic liquid and solid mixtures, in which solid lipid materials (oleogelators) with lower concentrations (<10 wt.%) can entrap bulk liquid oil by ways of the formation of network of oleogelators in the bulk oil. The oelogelators can be grouped into two: self-assembly system and crystal particles system. This article reviewed recent work on the formation of oleogels using various types of oleogelators. The fundamental aspects of the formation of lipid network, kinetic and microscopic properties of oleogels are discussed with a special emphasis on crystal particle based oleogels. The potential applications of edible oil based-oleogels and their functionality are also described. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.