Abstract: Oleogel-based margarine was prepared from sunflower oil with 0.5%–2.5% fully hydrogenated palm oil (FHPO) added as a high-melting-point fat source. Our aim was to investigate the effect of high-melting-point fat on the fatty acid composition, stability, melting point, texture, rheological properties, microstructure and crystalline characteristics of oleogel-based margarine. The results showed that margarine with less than 1.5% FHPO had lower melting point and poorer plasticity. Margarine with more than 1.5% FHPO had an instability index over 1.5 and deteriorated severely. Margarine with 1.5% FHPO had the best overall performance, and its hardness, plasticity and viscosity were more approximate to those of commercial margarine.

Key words: high-melting-point fat, fully hydrogenated palm oil, margarine