The natural properties of oils and fats do not always allow for their direct use in industry (e.g., for food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals). Furthermore, such raw materials are often too expensive. Nowadays, the requirements for the quality and safety of fat products are increasing. For this reason, oils and fats are subjected to various modifications that make it possible to obtain a product with the desired characteristics and good quality that meets the needs of product buyers and technologists. The modification techniques of oils and fats change their physical (e.g., raise the melting point) and chemical properties (e.g., fatty acid composition). Conventional fat modification methods (hydrogenation, fractionation, and chemical interesterification) do not always meet the expectations of consumers, nutritionists, and technologists. In particular, Hydrogenation, while it allows us to obtain delicious products from the point of view of technology, is criticised for nutritional reasons. During the partial hydrogenation process, trans-isomers (TFA), dangerous for health, are formed. One of the modifications that meets current environmental requirements and trends in product safety and sustainable production is the enzymatic interesterification of fats. The unquestionable advantages of this process are the wide spectrum of possibilities for designing the product and its functional properties. After the interesterification process, the biologically active fatty acids in the fatty raw materials remain intact. However, this method is associated with high production costs. Oleogelation is a novel method of structuring liquid oils with small oil-gelling substances (even 1%). Based on the type of oleogelator, the methods of preparation can differ. Most oleogels of low molecular weight (waxes, monoglycerides, and sterols) and ethyl cellulose are prepared by dispersion in heated oil, while oleogels of high molecular weight require dehydration of the emulsion system or solvent exchange. This technique does not change the chemical composition of the oils, which allows them to keep their nutritional value. The properties of oleogels can be designed according to technological needs. Therefore, oleogelation is a future-proof solution that can reduce the consumption of TFA and saturated fatty acids while enriching the diet with unsaturated fatty acids. Oleogels can be named “fats of the future” as a new and healthy alternative for partially hydrogenated fats in foods.

Background: Shortenings are high in undesirable nutritionally saturated fatty acids. The aim of the study was to produce gluten-free muffins (GFM) of increased health quality and available to people intolerant to gluten, in which the shortenings were replaced with solid oleogels, consisting of 95% rapeseed oil. Methods: The dough and baked products were subjected to physical, textural, and structural analyses. Moreover, the fatty acids composition, chemical quality of fats extracted from muffins, and color of the products were determined. The dough was also observed at 600× magnification in bright field and polarized light microscopy, and microtomographic analysis of the structure of GTM was performed. Results: There was no effect of the type of lipids on physical properties, including water content in gluten-free muffins. However, the baked products differed in total porosity and brightness, as well as intensity of red and yellow colors. The use of rapeseed oil oleogels, instead of shortening in the muffin recipe, resulted in a decrease in the dietary undesirable SFA in lipid fractions (by approximately 40%), an increase in the content of MUFA (by approximately 30%), and an increase in the content of PUFA (by approximately 15%), with acceptable chemical quality. Conclusions: Research confirms the possibility of obtaining products with increased nutritional value available to consumers on a gluten-free diet.

According to international health and food organizations and authorities, people should limit fat intake since fat is the most caloric component of food and it is often a source of unsafe saturated fatty acids (FA) and trans isomers. The greatest health benefits come from replacing shorts with dietary fiber molecules. The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of reducing shortening content, which has an undesirable profile of FA, by addition of β-glucan molecules in shortbread biscuits. The effect of oat and yeast β-glucan supplementation on physical and sensory quality of products with reduced fat content (max 15%) were studied. It was shown that the substitution of shortening by β-glucan in shortbread biscuits is possible to a limited extent. Reduction in product energy value (up to 36 kcal/100 g) and content of undesirable FA (maximum 2.1 g/100 g) and increased of β-glucan content, regardless of the type, caused deterioration of biscuits quality and affected changes during storage. The substitution of shortening by β-glucan in food is a good way to improve nutritional value by increasing the amount of dietary fiber molecules, reducing calories, and amount of SFA in diets.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the macro- and microscopic properties of oleogels with yellow beeswax using different methods, especially modern optical techniques. Microrheological properties, physical stability and morphology of oleogel crystals obtained by structuring of peanut oil with yellow beeswax was analyzed. It was observed that oleogels, even with the smallest concentration of beeswax (2%), were resistant to centrifugal force. Increase in yellow beeswax concentration (from 2, 4, 6 to 8 %) resulted in significant differences in the characteristics of oleogels: increased elasticity (EI), macroscopic viscosity (MVI) and the firmness values of oleogels. It was concluded that non-invasive optical techniques (multi-speckle diffusing wave spectroscopy—Rheolaser Master) are useful in obtaining a quick evaluation of physical properties of oleogels at the microstructural level, and the received information allows for quality assessment.

Gluten-free bread is the basis of an elimination diet in the case of many glucose-related diseases. The quality of this bread differs significantly from traditional products; therefore, it is necessary to conduct research aimed at improving the quality of this type of product. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the addition of chestnut flour and the method of packaging on the quality of gluten-free bread. The addition of chestnut flour (partially replacing corn starch) was used in the amount of 5, 10, 15 and 20% of the total weight of the concentrate. The influence of the storage method on the quality of the tested bread was examined after 7, 14 and 21 days from baking. The refrigerated breads were packed using PA/PE barrier foil with air and vacuum (58%) and were stored in room temperature (22 ± 2 °C). Water content, texture and color were determined, and sensory evaluation and microbiological analysis were performed. As a result of the conducted research, we observed that the addition of chestnut flour to the recipe affects significantly (p < 0.05) the texture of the finished product, reducing the hardness and increasing the elasticity and cohesiveness of the bread crumb. The use of chestnut flour in an amount of up to 10% increases significantly (p < 0.05) the volume of the resulting loaves. Microbiological research has indicated vacuum packaging as a better way to protect and store gluten-free bread. For practical use in future production, it is recommended to replace corn starch in gluten-free breads by no more than 10% by chestnut flour.

This study aimed to evaluate how adding whey protein and transglutaminase impacts the quality of fried instant noodles. This research focused on analyzing various quality characteristics of the noodles based on the type and quantity of additives used. In the study, the following samples were produced: a control sample without additives and samples with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% of whey protein added, and 1 and 2% of transglutaminase were applied to each sample with whey protein addition. The following features were determined: fat content, water content, hydration time, hardness, adhesiveness, firmness, colour, browning index and a sensory evaluation of the macarons. The addition of whey protein, either alone or in combination with transglutaminase, reduced the fat content and increased the water content. The lowest fat content was obtained for the sample containing 5% whey protein and 2% transglutaminase (15.13%). The water content was observed in the range 2.53–3.72%. The hydration time of the instant noodles obtained increased with the use of more additives, but did not exceed 5 min in any of the samples tested. The use of additives affected the colour parameters and improved the textural properties of the noodles.