A plant-based cheese alternative (PCA) developed by oleogelation with apricot kernel oil and incorporation of the kernel press cake: An alternative approach to produce PCA containing lower saturated fatty acid

Increasing interest in plant-based foods has spurred research into new sources and ways to enhance the nutritional value of plant-based cheese alternatives (PCA). This study investigated the use of a commonly discarded by-product (cold press cake) from apricot kernel oil extraction as a protein source. An oleogel with apricot kernel oil was prepared by blending candelilla wax (CDW, 75 %) and carnauba wax (CRW, 25 %) to provide an alternative to coconut oil (CO), which is commonly used in PCAs due to its high saturated fat content. Two different PCA formulations were developed using this oleogel (Og) and CO, and their composition, texture, rheology, biochemical, physicochemical, and sensory properties were evaluated after the first, 30th, and 60th day. Both PCAs had similar pH, protein, fat, and moisture contents; however, the use of Og significantly decreased the saturated fat content in the PCAs from 94.58 % to 6.57 % and significantly changed the fatty acid composition. Both PCAs were promising in mimicking the melting behavior of animal-based cheese, with about a 36 % expansion of diameter. In addition, the results of the rheological analysis showed that both PCAs became more viscous with increasing temperature. Forty-two volatile compounds were identified in the PCAs, including those commonly detected in animal-based cheeses. Peptide profiles, amino acid content and protein patterns consistently showed no difference in proteolytic activity between the samples. In addition, SEM and FT-IR results showed no differences between the PCAs, and SEM examination revealed similar deformation during storage. It was concluded that apricot kernel oil oleogel and cake can be effectively used as fat and protein sources, respectively, for the production of PCAs. In addition, the use of apricot kernel oil oleogel resulted in PCAs with high unsaturated and low saturated fatty acid content.