Wax chemistry and concentration govern oleogel structuring: A comparative study of novel Idesia polycarpa Maxim. wax with rice bran wax and beeswax

Idesia polycarpa Maxim. oil (IPMO) by-products are rich in wax; however, research on their physicochemical properties and applications is limited. This study compared the physicochemical properties of I. polycarpa Maxim wax (IPMW), rice bran wax (RBW), and beeswax (BW) and applied them to the formation of oleogels. Physicochemical characterization results showed that IPMW had a purity of 95.87%, which was significantly higher than that of BW. Its acid value (6.48 mg/g) and saponification value (84.15 mg KOH/g) were significantly lower than those of RBW. Furthermore, IPMW demonstrated higher melting and crystallization temperatures compared to RBW and BW, indicating distinct thermal behavior. Oleogel characterization revealed that IPMW required a higher wax concentrationOleogel (up to 12%) to form a stable oleogel compared to RBW and BW. At a concentration of 21%, IPMW formed a structurally compact oleogel with an oil-binding capacity of 98%. These findings indicate that IPMW has potential as a plant-based material for structuring edible oils, providing new insights into the development of sustainable fat substitutes.