2.2.3. Bigel Preparation
Bigels were prepared according to the method developed previously with some modifications (Saffold & Acevedo, 2021). Briefly, three oleogel:hydrogel (OG:HG) ratios (60:40, 70:30, 80:20) with four concentrations of MDG (0.5, 1, 2 and 3% (w/w)) were prepared. For bigel preparation, the gelatin mixture was brought to 65-70°C and the two phases were combined while at elevated temperatures. The mixture was immediately homogenized at 24,000 rpm for one minute and then placed in refrigerator (4 °C) for 24 hours to allow gelation. Each sample was analyzed within five days of preparation. Triplicates were prepared and analyzed for each formulated bigel. Bigels without the addition of emulsifier were analyzed as controls. For shorthand, each formulation will be represented by their OG:HG ratio with the emulsifier concentration in parenthesis. For example, a 60:40 OG:HG bigel with an emulsifier concentration of 0.5% (w/w) MDG will be referred to as “60:40(0.5)” and the OG:HG ratio 60:40 without emulsifier will be referred to as “60:40(0)”. The oleogel and hydrogel concentrations remained at 10% (w/w) RBW and 7% (w/w) gelatin, respectively, for all bigel formulations.