Preparation and use of solidified oils

Abstract

A method of solidifying liquid oils is disclosed. The method is effected by (a) mixing at least one liquid oil and at least one solid fat, thereby forming a mixture of the at least one liquid oil and the at least one solid fat; and (b) transforming the mixture into a homogeneous consistency. Further disclosed are compositions of matter having a semi-solid texture including at least one liquid oil and at least one solid fat and uses thereof in therapy and cosmetic applications.

1 . A composition of matter that is semi-solid or solid at room temperature and/or when refrigerated by household means, consisting essentially of an edible liquid oil that is liquid within the entire range of 4-25° C. and a sufficient amount of beeswax such that the composition of matter is semi-solid or solid at room temperature and/or when refrigerated by household means, the amount of said oil being at least 50% by weight and the amount of said beeswax being less than 50% by weight.  
     
     
         2 . A composition of matter according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one liquid oil contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ω-3 PUFA).  
     
     
         3 . A composition of matter according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one liquid oil in the solidifying mixture contains from about 20% to about 90% by weight of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  
     
     
         4 . A composition of matter according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one liquid oil containing 20-90% by weight of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is fish oil.  
     
     
         5 . A composition of matter according to  claim 4 , wherein said fish oil contains above 50% by weight of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  
     
     
         6 . A composition of matter according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one liquid oil is a vegetable oil.  
     
     
         7 . A composition of matter according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one vegetable oil is selected from soybean oil and olive oil.  
     
     
         8 . A composition of matter according to  claim 4 , comprising from 50% to about 83% of by weight of fish oil.  
     
     
         9 . A composition of matter according to  claim 4 , comprising about 80% by weight of fish oil.  
     
     
         10 . A composition of matter according to  claim 9 , wherein the amount of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in said fish oil is such that said composition comprises about 60% by weight of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  
     
     
         11 . A composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein said vegetable oil is soybean oil.  
     
     
         12 . A composition of matter according to  claim 7 , wherein said vegetable oil is olive oil.  
     
     
         13 . A composition of matter according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a homogeneous consistency.  
     
     
         14 . A composition of matter according to  claim 1 , in the form of a homogeneous semi-solid spreading paste.  
     
     
         15 . A composition of matter according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional ingredient.  
     
     
         16 . A composition of matter according to  claim 15 , wherein said at least one additional ingredient is at least one flavoring agent.  
     
     
         17 . A composition of matter according to  claim 15 , wherein said at least one additional ingredient is at least one odorant.  
     
     
         18 . A method for the preparation of a composition of matter according to  claim 1 , the method comprising: 
 (a) heating a mixture of said at least one liquid oil and said beeswax to a temperature above the melting point of said beeswax, under conditions such that homogeneous consistency is obtained; and    (b) gradually cooling said mixture to room temperature, thus obtaining a homogeneous semi-solid paste that can be stored at room temperature and/or by household refrigerating.    
     
     
         19 . A homogeneous semi-solid paste suitable for spreading comprising at least 50% by weight of fish oil and from 17% to about 50% of beeswax, said homogeneous semi-solid paste being formed by a method comprising: 
 (a) mixing fish oil with beeswax at 80° C. under stirring until a homogeneous consistency is obtained; and    (b) cooling said mixture to room temperature, thus obtaining said homogeneous semi-solid paste suitable for spreading.    
     
     
         20 . A nutritional supplement comprising a composition according to  claim 1.