Development and characterization of food grade bigels based on Ocimum basilicum .L seed oil and mucilage and beeswax for quercetin delivery

• Novel food grade bigels based on basil seed mucilage hydrogel and beeswax/ basil seed oil oleogel were developed as quercetin carriers. • Different ratios of oleogel to hydrogel caused significant changes in physicochemical, textural and rheological properties of bigels. • FTIR confirmed strong intermolecular bonds maintaining bigel structural integrity. • Oxidative stability of bigels improved at lower hydrogel ratios. • The release of quercetin was much greater in the simulated intestinal condition, especially at higher oleogel ratios. The objective of present study was to develop and characterize a novel edible bigel based on basil seed mucilage hydrogel and beeswax/ basil seed oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) oleogel as carriers for quercetin and the roles of different ratios of oleogel/hydrogel (90–50%) on physicochemical, textural, rheological and delivery of quercetin were investigated. At lower hydrogel ratios (10% and 20%), substantial efficiency in solvent binding capacity was observed in bigel formulations. The bigels containing 90 to70% oleogel showed lower swelling ratio (less than 10%) and the highest swelling (∼15%) was found in bigel containing 50% hydrogel. As the proportion of hydrogel increased, a significant rise (p<0.05) in the L* and b* values were observed. According to microstructural observation, the structures of bigels changed from hydrogel-in-oleogel (10, 20, 30%) to bicontinuous type (40, 50%). The bigel formulations exhibited increased hardness, adhesiveness and a significant increase (p<0.05) in the elastic modulus (G′), concomitant with rising concentrations of oleogel fraction indicating enhanced mechanical strength. Comprehensive characterization through FTIR analyses revealed strong hydrogen bonding and intermolecular interactions, involving hydroxyl, carbonyl, and unsaturated functional groups. XRD patterns confirmed amorphous matrices , however, distinct peaks at 2θ ≈ 21.5°, indicative of β' polymorph. The peroxide values increased progressively across all formulations, with a more pronounced elevation in bigels containing higher hydrogel fractions (50%). Quercetin, selected as a model sensitive bioactive compound, exhibited sustained controlled gastrointestinal release, with release kinetics best described by the Kopcha model.