Carnauba wax in palm oil gels as beef fat alternative
What it found
In lab tests, palm oil gels made with carnauba wax or beeswax were compared with beef fat.
Gels with more carnauba wax were harder, more heat stable and more prone to going rancid.
What they found
Texture and heat
In general, the texture and thermal behaviour of the palm oil gels were notably similar to beef fat, though colour and oxidative stability differed.
Mixed oil fatty acids
The mixed-oil gel had a significantly improved fatty acid profile and better health indices than beef fat, with less saturated fat and more polyunsaturated fats.
More carnauba wax
Gels with higher carnauba wax levels had a more compact microstructure, greater hardness, better thermal stability and more susceptibility to lipid oxidation.
Beeswax texture
Gels made with beeswax had a softer texture.
What the authors conclude
“The findings highlighted the potential of PO-based oleogels as a healthier alternative to traditional animal fats.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say the findings highlight the potential of palm oil-based oleogels as a healthier alternative to traditional animal fats.
- They say these oleogels are innovative and health-conscious fat alternatives that align with consumer demands for healthier and more sustainable dietary options.
How it was done
Animal fat gives meat products flavour, texture and mouthfeel, but its high saturated fat is linked to health risks. The authors wanted a healthier fat alternative that still keeps product quality.
They made palm oil gels, and mixed-oil gels of palm, olive and linseed oils, using beeswax or carnauba wax at 5%, 7.5% and 10% w/w. They measured the physical and chemical properties and fatty acid makeup against beef fat.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a lab study of fat properties, not a study in people.
- It cannot show what eating these gels does to human health.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by Universiti Putra Malaysia under Geran Inisiatif Putra Siswazah (from the PubMed record).
- Authors work at
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia; Shandong Vocational College of Light Industry, China
The paper
- Title
- Development and Characterization of Palm Oil-Based Oleogels Using Beeswax and Carnauba Wax as Healthier Beef Fat Mimetics
- Type
- Study
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Fu M, Mat Yusoff M, Mohd Adzahan N, Tan TB, Ismail-Fitry MR (2025). Development and Characterization of Palm Oil-Based Oleogels Using Beeswax and Carnauba Wax as Healthier Beef Fat Mimetics. Journal of food science. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.70241PubMed 40331723DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error