IJCEA 2026 Vol.17(1): 18-22
doi: 10.18178/ijcea.2026.17.1.853
Assessment Quality of Pumpkin Seed Oil and Natural Wax, as an Alternative for Animal Fats
V. Bulgaru1,*, N. Netreba1, S. Ropciuc 2, and D. Pauliuc2
1. Department of Food Technology, Technical University of Moldova, Chisinau, MD 2004, Republic of Moldova
2. Department Food Technologies, Food Production and Environmental Safety, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Romania
Email: viorica.bulgaru@tpa.utm.md (V.B.); natalia.netreba@tpa.utm.md (N.N.); sorina.ropciuc@fia.usv.ro (S.R.); daniela.pauliuc@fia.usv.ro (D.P.)
*Corresponding author
Manuscript received April 27, 2026; accepted May 20, 2026; published May 28, 2026
Abstract—Dietary fats are essential for human nutrition, yet excessive intake of saturated and trans fatty acids remains a major health concern. Oleogelation represents a promising approach for structuring liquid vegetable oils into semi-solid systems suitable for replacing conventional solid fats. This study aimed to develop oleogels based on pumpkin seed oil structured with carnauba wax at concentrations ranging from 2 to 10% and to evaluate their chromatic properties, acidity index, and peroxide value. Oleogels were produced by thermal mixing followed by controlled cooling. Increasing wax concentration significantly influenced the color parameters, resulting in higher lightness and yellowness due to the formation of a denser crystalline network. The acidity index showed a slight increase with wax content but remained within regulatory limits. Peroxide values remained low for all samples, indicating that oleogelation did not induce oxidative degradation, while higher wax levels improved oxidative stability by limiting oxygen diffusion. These findings highlight the potential of pumpkin seed oil-carnauba wax oleogels as stable and functional fat alternatives for food applications.
Keywords—carnauba wax, fat stability, oleogelators, pumpkin oil, sustainable food
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Cite: V. Bulgaru, N. Netreba, S. Ropciuc, and D. Pauliuc, "Assessment Quality of Pumpkin Seed Oil and Natural Wax, as an Alternative for Animal Fats," International Journal of Chemical Engineering and Applications vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 18-22, 2026.
