Factors affecting the rheological properties of a structured cellular solid used as a fat mimetic.

The effects of water content, monoglyceride chain length and concentration, oil type, and the addition of oil-phase and water-phase additives on the elastic modulus and yield stress of a structured oil in water were evaluated. The goal was to increase the elastic modulus of the original emulsion from 8.42×103±11.3Pa to 1.55×106±2.1×105Pa, and the yield stress from 112±2.31Pa to 835±227Pa. The addition of wax at greater than 10% (w/w), the use of palm oil or the gelation of the liquid oil phase with 5-7.5% rice bran wax, the use of C-18 saturated monoglyceride at 6%(w/w), and 4% (w/w) for C-22 saturated monoglyceride molecules were effective modifications capable of improving the mechanical behavior of the emulsion so that it can be used as a zero trans and reduced saturated fat laminating shortening substitute for puff pastry products.