Thermo-mechanical properties of candelilla wax and dotriacontane organogels in safflower oil

The thermo-mechanical properties of organogels developed by a complex mixture of n-alkanes present in candelilla wax (CW) were investigated and compared with the ones of organogels developed by a pure n-alkane, dotriacontane (C-32). In both cases, the liquid phase used was safflower oil high in triolein (SFO) and the variables studied were two levels of gelator concentration (1 and 3%), cooling rates of 1 and 10 degrees C/min, and two gel setting temperatures, 5 and 25 degrees C (T-set). Based on comparisons of the organogels made with C-32, the presence of minor molecular components in CW had a profound effect on the crystal habit of the n-alkanes in CW-based organogels, and therefore on their physical properties. Thus, independent of the cooling rate and T-set, C-32 showed a higher solubility and higher self-assembly capability in the SFO than CW Nevertheless, for the same gelator concentration and Lime-temperature conditions, C-32 organogels had lower G' profiles than CW organogels. Additionally, independent of the type of gelator, more stable organogel structures wend developed at T-set = 5 degrees C and using the lower cooling rate. The rheological behavior of the organogels was explained considering the formation of a rotator phase by the n-alkanes, its solid-solid transition, and their dependence as a function of the cooling rate and T-set. The results here obtained showed that it is possible to gelate SFO through organogelation with CW and without the use of trans fats.