Characterization of the Quality and Oxidative Stability of Hemp-Oil-Based Oleogels as an Animal Fat Substitute for Meat Patties

The effect of the incorporation of rice bran wax (5%; 7%) or candelilla wax (3%; 7%) for production of hemp-oil-based oleogels was analyzed in this study. The experiment was carried out to replace between 0 and 100% of animal fat in meat patties with oleogels. Free fatty acids (FFAs), acid value (AV), oxidative stability index (OSI), conjugated diene value, malondialdehyde value, physicochemical properties, and the sensory properties of oleogels and meat patties were studied. The results indicated that hemp oil had more polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower oxidative stability when compared to oleogels. The OSI for oil was 3.1 h, while for oleogels it was 3.4–3.6 (candelilla case) or 3.7–3.9 (rice bran). Oleogels were able to match pork fat texture properties such as spreadability and adhesiveness in meat patties. However, sensory data for cooked meat patties with animal fat fully replaced by oleogels revealed that samples with 100% pork fat had higher juiciness and taste intensity. Our results showed that a wax-based oleogel had a higher oxidative stability and nutritional profile, but further investigations to mimic pork fat properties in meat patties are necessary.