Application of Gel Technology in Food Industry and Environmental Engineering (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 2786

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Inorganic Compounds and the Environment, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: removal metals ions; adsorbent materials; pollutants; polymers/biomaterials functionalization
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E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Organic and Natural Compounds, Politehnica University Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: biocatalysis; sol-gel; enzyme immobilization; nanomaterials; structure-activity relationship; natural bioactive compounds; industrial enzymes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on the “Application of Gel Technology in Food Industry and Environmental Engineering (2nd Edition)” is dedicated to recent developments in the obtainment and characterization methods of different gels and the gelation mechanism of mixed or multicomponent gels for applications in food and environmental engineering fields. In recent years, interest in gel technology has increased due to state-of-the-art developments across various fields and the accessibility of advanced materials with diverse functionalities through inexpensive and environmentally viable processing methods.

The continued advancement of gel technology is, in part, explained by the ease with which the process of obtaining the resultant materials can be controlled and the multitude of materials that can be developed. At present, gel research and the application of gels are mainly concentrated in the fields of food, agriculture, biomedical applications, environmental engineering, etc.

Gel technology has numerous environmental applications, such as catalysis, separation science, adsorption, filtration, and emerging nanotechnologies. There are reported developments of a diverse range of chemical sensors derived from sol–gel processing technology for a wide range of applications, including the determination of gases and forensic analysis.

The multifunctional features of gels suggest that their applications in food and the environment have scope for further exploration. This Special Issue aims to highlight current and future findings in gel technology with translational potential across the food industry and environmental engineering. We welcome original research articles and reviews, as well as short communications related to this Special Issue.

Dr. Mihaela Ciopec
Dr. Cristina Paul
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • natural biopolymers
  • gelling agents
  • multi-component gels
  • food applications
  • sol–gel materials for environmental, electronic, and energy applications
  • specific pollutant removal techniques
  • specific materials and system of interest
  • advanced materials with applications in environmental engineering

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3726 KiB  
Article
Development and Characterization of New Plant-Based Ice Cream Assortments Using Oleogels as Fat Source
by Sorina Ropciuc, Cristina Ghinea, Ana Leahu, Ancuta Elena Prisacaru, Mircea Adrian Oroian, Laura Carmen Apostol and Florina Dranca
Gels 2024, 10(6), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10060397 - 12 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1168
Abstract
The objective of this study was to develop candelilla wax oleogels with hemp seed oil and olive oil and use them as a fat source in the development of new plant-based ice cream assortments. Oleogels were structured with 3 and 9% candelilla wax [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to develop candelilla wax oleogels with hemp seed oil and olive oil and use them as a fat source in the development of new plant-based ice cream assortments. Oleogels were structured with 3 and 9% candelilla wax and characterized by oil-binding capacity, peroxide value and color parameters. The oil-binding capacities of 9% wax oleogels were significantly higher than those of 3% wax oleogels, while peroxide values of oleogels decrease with increasing wax dosage. All oleogel samples are yellow-green due to the pigments present in the oils and candelilla wax. Physicochemical (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, fat, protein) and rheological (viscosity and viscoelastic modulus) parameters of plant-based ice cream mixes with oleogels were determined. Also, sensory attributes and texture parameters were investigated. The results showed that titratable acidity and fat content of plant-based ice cream samples increased with increasing wax percentage, while pH, soluble solids and protein values are more influenced by the type of plant milk used. The plant-based ice cream sample with spelt milk, hemp oil and 9% candelilla wax received the highest overall acceptability score. The hardness of the plant-based ice cream samples increased as the percentage of candelilla wax added increased. Full article
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Review

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27 pages, 15488 KiB  
Review
Gels for Water Remediation: Current Research and Perspectives
by Gabriela Buema, Adina-Elena Segneanu, Dumitru-Daniel Herea and Ioan Grozescu
Gels 2024, 10(9), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10090585 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1370
Abstract
The development of cost-effective and high-performance technologies for wastewater treatment is essential for achieving a sustainable economy. Among the various methods available for water remediation, adsorption is widely recognized as an effective and straightforward approach for removing a range of pollutants. Gel materials, [...] Read more.
The development of cost-effective and high-performance technologies for wastewater treatment is essential for achieving a sustainable economy. Among the various methods available for water remediation, adsorption is widely recognized as an effective and straightforward approach for removing a range of pollutants. Gel materials, particularly hydrogels and aerogels, have attracted significant research interest due to their unique properties. Hydrogels, for instance, are noted for their ability to be regenerated and reused, ease of separation and handling, and suitability for large-scale applications. Additionally, their low cost, high water absorption capacity, and contribution to environmental protection are important advantages. Aerogels, on the other hand, are distinguished by their low thermal conductivity, transparency, flexibility, high porosity, mechanical strength, light weight, large surface area, and ultralow dielectric constant. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current literature, highlighting gaps in knowledge regarding the classification, preparation, characterization, and key properties of these materials. The potential application of hydrogels and aerogels in water remediation, particularly in removing contaminants such as dyes, heavy metals, and various organic and inorganic pollutants, is also discussed. Full article
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