Impact of chitosan-based oleogels crosslinked with vanillin containing different oil phases on lipid digestion and bioaccessibility of carotenoids and tocols

Food Chem. 2025 Sep 30:487:144740. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.144740. Epub 2025 May 15.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of chitosan concentration (0.42 % and 1.0 % w/v) and oil phase type (soybean oil, dendê oil, annatto seed oil, and blends of soybean oil + dendê oil and soybean oil + annatto seed oil) on the physicochemical properties, free fatty acids release and the bioaccessibility of carotenoids and tocols in chitosan-based oleogels crosslinked with 1 % vanillin. Oleogels with 1 % chitosan exhibited higher hardness (>16 N) and lower oil loss (<33 %) than those with 0.42 % chitosan (<6.8 N and > 40 %, respectively). Oleogels with 0.42 % and 1 % chitosan reduced free fatty acid release by approximately 21 % and 27 %, respectively, compared to their liquid oil phases. However, only oleogels with 1 % chitosan effectively controlled the lipolysis rate throughout in vitro. Chitosan content proved more influential in regulating lipolysis than oil type. Furthermore, all chitosan-based oleogels reduced the bioaccessibility of carotenoids and tocols.

Keywords: Annatto seed oil; Bixin; Organogel; Red palm oil; Tocopherols; Β-Carotene.

MeSH terms

  • Benzaldehydes* / chemistry
  • Biological Availability
  • Carotenoids* / chemistry
  • Carotenoids* / metabolism
  • Chitosan* / chemistry
  • Chitosan* / metabolism
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Digestion
  • Humans
  • Lipolysis
  • Organic Chemicals* / chemistry
  • Organic Chemicals* / metabolism
  • Plant Oils* / chemistry
  • Plant Oils* / metabolism
  • Soybean Oil / chemistry
  • Soybean Oil / metabolism

Substances

  • Chitosan
  • oleogels
  • vanillin
  • Carotenoids
  • Benzaldehydes
  • Plant Oils
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Soybean Oil