Emulsion-templated oleogels generated through solvent exchange: Effects of miscibility of alcohols and oils

A novel strategy combining emulsion-templated and solvent exchange approaches in preparing konjac glucomannan (KGM)-based oleogels was investigated in this work. The prepared oleogels are rigid with the storage modulus determined to be over 10 kPa, and generally exhibit a high oil content (∼92 wt%). Short-chain alcohols were used for solvent exchange and the miscibility of alcohols and oils was suggested to be important for the oleogel fabrication and relevant gel properties. Comparatively, methanol, which showed a lower oil solubility, favored the formation of oleogel with a less compact network, improving the oil stability. Structural characterization of oleogels indicated both the crystallinity and crystalline size varied if the oil solubility of alcohols was changed. This work provides an insight into the correlation between solvent solubility and final gel properties, thus creating an opportunity to tailor-make oleogels for different applications by regulating the solvent effects.