Ultra-High Pressure Homogenization enhances physicochemical properties of soy protein isolate-stabilized emulsions

The effect of Ultra-High Pressure Homogenization (UHPH, 100–300 MPa) on the physicochemical properties of oil-in-water emulsions prepared with 4.0% (w/v) of soy protein isolate (SPI) and soybean oil (10 and 20%, v/v) was studied and compared to emulsions treated by conventional homogenization (CH, 15 MPa). CH emulsions were prepared with non-heated and heated (95 °C for 15 min) SPI dispersions. Emulsions were characterized by particle size determination with laser diffraction, rheological properties using a rotational rheometer by applying measurements of flow curve and by transmission electron microscopy. The variation on particle size and creaming was assessed by Turbiscan® analysis, and visual observation of the emulsions was also carried out. UHPH emulsions showed much smaller d_3.2 values and greater physical stability than CH emulsions. The thermal treatment of SPI prior CH process did not improve physical stability properties. In addition, emulsions containing 20% of oil exhibited greater physical stability compared to emulsions containing 10% of oil. Particularly, UHPH emulsions treated at 100 and 200 MPa with 20% of oil were the most stable due to low particle size values (d_3.2 and Span), greater viscosity and partial protein denaturation. These results address the physical stability improvement of protein isolate-stabilized emulsions by using the emerging UHPH technology.     

Stability of emulsions formulated with high concentrations of sodium caseinate and trehalose

Stability of emulsions formulated with 10 wt.% oil (concentrated fish oil, CFO, sunflower oil, SFO, or olive oil, OO), sodium caseinate concentrations varying from 0.5 to 5 wt.%, giving oil-to-protein ratios of 20–2, and 0, 20, 30 or 40 wt.% aqueous trehalose solution was studied by Turbiscan. Particle size distribution, microstructure, and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) patterns were also obtained. The main mechanism of destabilization in a given formulation strongly depended on oil-to-protein ratio. As evidenced by the BS-profile changes with time, emulsions formulated with 0.5 and 1 wt.% NaCas destabilized mainly by creaming while for the 2 wt.% NaCas concentration, both creaming and flocculation mechanisms, were involved. The main destabilization mechanism for the 3, 4 or 5 wt.% NaCas emulsions was flocculation. Stability of emulsions was also affected by the content of trehalose in the aqueous phase. Trehalose diminished the volume-weighted mean diameter (D_4,3) and greatly improved stability.     

Thermal behavior of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions based on soybean oil and palm kernel olein blends

Droplet size distribution and thermal behavior of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions based on soybean oil (SBO)/palm kernel olein (PKO) blends were investigated. The emulsions were prepared using 70% (wt./wt.) oil blends of SBO/PKO as dispersed phases and stabilized by egg yolk. An increase in PKO level (0–40% wt./wt.) in the oil dispersed phase volume fraction caused significant increases (p < 0.05) in volume-weighted mean diameter (d_4,3). The DSC data suggested that crystallization of the emulsions was induced by a ‘template effect’ of yolk constituents via a surface heterogeneous nucleation. Emulsions with 0–20% (wt./wt.) PKO levels in the dispersed phase demonstrated a good cool–heat stability even after three successive thermal cycles (from 50 °C to ?70 °C at 10 min/°C). After the first thermal cycle, emulsions with 30% and 40% PKO levels in the oil dispersed phase were destabilized due to strong coalescence and crystallized via volume-surface heterogeneous nucleation. The unstable emulsions were attributable to high level of saturated triacylglycerols from PKO, with high droplet size characteristic, causing them to be more prone to partial coalescence.     

Characterization of emulsion stabilization properties of quince seed extract as a new source of hydrocolloid

The capability of seed extracts in stabilizing emulsions has particularly received interest in recent years. Upon soaking quince seeds into water, biopolymers inside the seeds are extracted to water, forming mucilage. This study investigates the physical stability, rheology and microstructure of oil (sunflower oil) in water emulsions, stabilized by 2% (w/v) whey protein isolate with varying concentrations of xanthan and quince seed gum. Quince seed gum resulted in emulsions with smaller low-shear viscosities and shear thinning capabilities compared to the same concentrations of xanthan. Quince seed gum emulsions with concentrations ≤ 0.1 (w/v), displayed rapid creaming due to bridging flocculation. Despite the difference in apparent viscosities, for gum concentrations < 0.2 (w/v), both gums demonstrated comparable stability with xanthan gum in general yielding marginally more stable emulsions. Gum concentrations > 0.3 (w/v) resulted in physically stable emulsions even after 5 months. Overall, quince seed gum displayed significant emulsification and stabilization properties.     

Sensory stability and oxidation of fish oil enriched milk is affected by milk storage temperature and oil quality

The experiments evaluated the influence of fish oil quality and cold storage temperature on the oxidative stability of milk emulsions containing 1.0% w/w milk fat and 0.5% w/w of either a pure fish oil or a fish oil:rapeseed oil mixture. The results showed that it was possible to produce a pasteurised milk product enriched with the important n-3 PUFA from fish oil with acceptable sensory characteristics if (1) the emulsions were based on a mixture of fish oil and rapeseed oil and (2) the initial peroxide value (PV) of the added oil blend was below 0.5 meq kg⁻¹. The sensory analysis showed a clear distinction between emulsions based on oil with PV 0.1 and 0.5 meq kg⁻¹, whereas the PV and the gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of volatile oxidation products were not sensitive enough to reveal these differences clearly. The GC analyses showed that the onset of formation of the volatiles was earlier with increased storage temperature in the range of 2–9 °C.     

Influence of EDTA and citrate on thermal stability of whey protein stabilized oil-in-water emulsions containing calcium chloride

The influence of calcium ions and chelating agents on the thermal stability of model nutritional beverages was examined. Oil-in-water emulsions (6.94% (w/v) soybean oil, 0.35% (w/v) WPI, 0.02% (w/v) sodium azide, 20 mM Tris buffer, 0–10 mM CaCl₂, and 0–40 mM EDTA or citrate, pH 7.0) were stored at temperatures between 30 and 120 °C for 15 min. The particle size, particle charge, creaming stability, rheology, and free-calcium concentration of the emulsions were then measured. In the absence of chelating agents, appreciable droplet aggregation occurred in emulsions held at temperatures from 80 to 120 °C, which led to increased emulsion particle diameter, shear-thinning behavior, apparent viscosity, and creaming instability. Addition of chelating agents to the emulsions prior to heating decreased, but did not prevent, droplet aggregation in the emulsions. EDTA was more effective than citrate in decreasing droplet aggregation. Heat treatment increased the amount of chelating agents required to prevent droplet aggregation in the emulsions. Free-calcium concentration and droplet surface potential was independent of heat-treatment temperature, indicating that the performance of the chelating agents in binding calcium ions was not affected by the heat treatment. It was suggested that increased hydrophobic attractive interactions between the droplets occurred during heating, which induced droplet aggregation.     

Nanostructures and polymorphisms in protein stabilised lipid nanoparticles,as food bioactive carriers: contribution of particle size and adsorbed materials

Eight oil-in-water emulsions were prepared using melt high-pressure homogenisation (HPH) at 300 or 1200 Bar. The emulsions produced from lipid phase (20%) were composed by palm oil alone or in mixture with α-tocopherol at 4:1 weight ratio, and an aqueous phase containing whey proteins alone or in mixture with phospholipids. The resulting nanoemulsions (fat droplet size ranging from 200-500 nm) presented different stability against aggregation and coalescence, fat crystallinity and polymorphisms in relation to different degrees of α-tocopherol encapsulation and protection against chemical degradation. Protein stabilised emulsions were monomodal, while emulsions stabilised by proteins and lecithins were slightly bimodal. Application of an isothermal treatment (4 °C for 2 hours) to these emulsions showed crystallization peaks located at longer time values in smaller particle size emulsions, while in the presence of added α-tocopherol average particle size values were higher and crystallization was not observed in 2 hours storage. Study of fat polymorphisms performed after 12 hours storage at 4 °C revealed the formation of 2L structures with coexistence of α, β’ and β forms in all of the emulsions. Increasing HPH from 300 to 1200 Bar favoured development of β structure (4.5 A^-1) in α-tocopherol added emulsions, with the presence of one extra peak β structure evolved at 3.9 A^-1 only in emulsions containing lecithins. α-tocopherol addition decreased in 2L structures (by approx. 40-50%). The formation of lipid nanoparticles with decreasing size values (increasing HPH parameters) was accompanied by increased long-term stability against aggregation and coalescence, but increased vitamin degradation (up to 15 wt% for 1200 bar). Degradation of α-tocopherol after 2 months storage at 4 °C was lower for nanoparticles stabilised by whey proteins alone (21 and 33%, respectively) than for nanoparticles stabilised by whey proteins in mixture with phospholipids and presenting higher size values (44 and 52%, respectively), where β polymorphs were more evolved.     

Physical stability of emulsion encapsulated in alginate microgel particles by the impinging aerosol technique

Emulsion filled alginate microgel particles can be applied as carrier systems for lipophilic actives in pharmaceutical and food formulations. In this study, the effects of oil concentration, emulsifier type and oil droplet size on the physical stability of emulsions encapsulated in calcium alginate microgel particles (20–80 μm) produced by a continuous impinging aerosol technique were studied. Oil emulsions emulsified by using either sodium caseinate (SCN) or Tween 80 were encapsulated at different oil concentrations (32.55, 66.66 and 76.68% w/w of total solids content). The emulsions were analysed before and after encapsulation for changes in emulsion size distribution during storage, and compared to unencapsulated emulsions. The size distribution of encapsulated fine emulsion (mean size ~ 0.20 μm) shifted to a larger size distribution range during encapsulation possibly due to the contraction effect of the microgel particles. Coarse emulsion droplets (mean size ~ 18 μm) underwent a size reduction during encapsulation due to the shearing effect of the atomizing nozzle. However, no further size changes in the encapsulated emulsion were detected over four weeks. The type of emulsifier used and emulsion concentration did not significantly affect the emulsion stability. The results suggest that the rigid gel matrix is an effective method for stabilising lipid emulsions and can be used as a carrier for functional ingredients.     

Emulsifying properties of lactose-amines in oil-in-water emulsions

Lactose-amines were synthesized with hexadecyl-amide and lactose via the Maillard reaction and their emulsion stabilization properties were investigated. Lactose-amines were synthesized using two different constant heating (4 and 8 h) and two different heating/cooling cycles (12 and 24 h). Each lactose-amine sample was used as an emulsifier in 20:80 ratio oil-in-water emulsions at four different concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 1%). Emulsion stability was monitored by measuring the oil droplet sizes and the extent of destabilization via clarification over 5 days. At 1% concentrations, emulsions prepared with lactose-amines synthesized for 4, 12, and 24 h were as stable as the whey protein positive control emulsion. The 8 h lactose-amine sample resulted in a less stable emulsion. We assume the difference is related to the amount of heat this sample was exposed to during synthesis, with extensive heat leading to advanced Maillard products, which possessed reduced emulsification properties.     

Physical characteristics of submicron emulsions upon partial displacement of whey protein by a small molecular weight surfactant and pectin addition

O/W emulsions (6 wt.% olive oil) were prepared at pH 3.3 using different WPI:Tween 20 weight ratios (1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 0:1) at 1 wt.% total concentration. The emulsion droplet size was found to decrease with an increase in Tween 20. A minimum droplet size of d_3,2 300 nm was found for Tween systems alone, similar to that found (360 nm) for a 1:1 WPI:Tween 20 combination (p < 0.05). This specific composition showed a value for the interfacial tension close to that of Tween 20 alone. However, the emulsions presented low stability regardless of the WPI:Tween 20 ratio. To increase their stability, pectin was added, in various concentrations (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 wt.%), using the Layer by Layer technique. In the presence of pectin, the ζ-potential of the oil droplets became negative; indicating that negatively charged pectin was absorbed onto the positively-charged droplet surface forming a secondary layer. The additional layer resulted in a wide range of emulsion stability. For all pectin concentrations, the 1:1 ratio of WPI:Tween 20 showed the highest stability. In most emulsions, extensive aggregation of oil droplets was observed, and their viscosity increased. Insufficient amounts of pectin to form the secondary layers led to bridging flocculation phenomena of oppositely charged pectin and proteins, leading to aggregation of the oil droplets. The higher the concentration of pectin, the greater the stability of the emulsion due to higher viscosity. All in all, the addition of a second layer consisting of pectin can be used to increase the stability of an emulsion containing emulsion droplets in the sub-micron range.     

Effect of processing conditions on the structure of monostearin–oil–water gels

The effect of processing conditions on the formation and stability of a gel comprised of oil, water, monostearin and stearic acid was studied. Processing conditions (homogenization rate (10,000–30,000 rpm), cooling rate (0.05–20 °C/min), homogenization temperature (70–95 °C)) had no effect on the initial storage modulus and melting temperature of the gel. Salt (NaCl) addition to the aqueous phase in the range 0–0.25% did not affect these parameters either; however, 0.5% salt addition lead to a ∼2 °C decrease in melting temperature and a doubling of the storage modulus. Optimal preparation conditions for the gel were mainly determined from its microstructure by polarized light microscopy – a smaller globule size and a more homogenous size distribution were considered a desirable feature. Optimum conditions included homogenization rates greater than 20,000 rpm, cooling rates above 6 °C/min, homogenization temperatures above, but close to, the Krafft temperature of monostearin (72 °C), and 0% salt concentration. The gelation temperature decreased by 2 °C with each 1 °C/min increase in cooling rate, from 1 °C/min to 5 °C/min.     

Soy soluble polysaccharide stabilization at oil–water interfaces

Soybean soluble polysaccharide (SSPS) is obtained from the by-product of the production of soy protein. SSPS has been employed as a functional ingredient in numerous food applications. When used to prepare oil-in-water emulsions, SSPS forms thick, stable interfaces in a wide pH range, in both acidic and neutral conditions. SSPS forms stable interfacial layers at relatively low biopolymer concentrations (about 4% (w/w) in 20% (w/w) oil-in-water emulsions), and although rich in galacturonic acid, its functionality does not seem to be affected by varying concentration of cations. This work describes the emulsifying properties of SSPS and its stability under various environmental conditions and the principles that regulate the stabilization behavior of this polysaccharide. SSPS contains a high molecular weight polysaccharide fraction with interfacial properties and a small molecular weight fraction. A polypeptide fraction, with an estimated molecular mass of 50 kDa, is covalently linked to the SSPS backbone chains and acts as an anchor to the oil–water interface. The carbohydrate moieties of the SSPS stabilize the emulsion droplets via steric interactions, forming a thick (ranging between 15 and 30 nm, depending on the SSPS type), hydrated layer on the surface of the oil droplet.     

Stability of flocculated particles in concentrated and high hydrophilic solid layer-by-layer (LBL) emulsions formed using whey proteins and gum Arabic

The objective of the present study was to investigate flocculation in layer-by-layer (LBL) emulsion systems with high total solids content and deflocculation at various pH conditions, and the effects of whey protein isolate (WPI) concentration and total solids content on the stability of LBL emulsions. WPI (1.96% (1WPI) or 10.71% (10WPI), w/w in water) was prepared in water and high-pressure homogenized with sunflower oil (10%, w/w, of total emulsion). Gum Arabic (0.15%, w/w, in total emulsion) was added to assemble electrostatically on WPI at oil particle interfaces at pH 3.5 using aqueous citric acid (10% w/w) forming LBL emulsion. The ζ-potential measurements showed charge reversal upon addition of gum Arabic solution into single layer (SL) emulsion confirming the formation of LBL interface. Trehalose:maltodextrin mixture (1:1, w/w, total emulsion, 28.57% (28) or 57.14% (57), w/w, in water) was used in the continuous phase. The high total solids content of the system results in depletion flocculation of the particles leading to bridging flocculation without coalescence as deflocculation into individual particles occurred with increasing pH from pH 3.5 to pH 6.5 in 10WPI systems. Deflocculation was evident in 10WPI-28 and 10WPI-57 as found from a decreased ζ-average diameter and visually under microscope. Coalescence was observed in 1WPI systems. Viscosity of the systems was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with higher total solids content. Accelerated destabilization test showed that systems at higher WPI and total solids contents exhibited the highest stability against creaming. Deflocculation in LBL systems can be controlled by pH while high solids in the aqueous phase provide stability against creaming.     

Encapsulation of flaxseed oil within native and modified lentil protein-based microcapsules

The physical properties of lentil protein-based maltodextrin microcapsules with entrapped flaxseed oil was investigated using native (n-LPI) and pre-treated (heated, un-hydrolyzed (u-LPI); and heated, hydrolyzed (h-LPI)) lentil proteins and as a function of oil load (10, 20 and 30% of total solids). Specifically, the moisture, water activity, surface oil and entrapment efficiency (EE) were assessed, along with droplet size and emulsion morphology of all formulations. Moisture (< 6%) and water activity (< 0.2) of all capsules were characteristics of dried powder ingredients. Light microscopy imaging of the emulsions, revealed that the h-LPI had slightly larger oil droplets than the n-LPI and u-LPI, which both appeared similar. Findings were confirmed by light scattering, where droplet sizes were 6.7, 4.2 and 4.2 μm for the h-LPI, u-LPI and n-LPI stabilized emulsions, respectively. Overall capsules prepared from h-LPI showed significantly higher surface oil and lower EE than both the n-LPI and u-LPI materials. Furthermore, as the oil content increased, overall surface oil became higher and EE became lower. Based on testing, capsules prepared using n-LPI with 10% oil loading was found to have the lowest surface oil content (~ 3.7%) and highest EE (~ 62.8%) for all formulations, and was subjected to an oxidative storage stability test over a 30 d period vs. free oil. The encapsulation process proved to be effective at lowering the production of primary and secondary oxidative products than free oil.     

Viscoelastic characterization of fluid and gel like food emulsions stabilized with hydrocolloids

Food emulsions exhibit a great diversity of rheological characteristics; hydrocolloids are usually added to deal with creaming instability. Viscoelastic measurements provide information about the microstructure of the system. The objectives of this work were: a) to determine the viscoelastic behavior of two different low in fat oil-in-water food emulsions: a gel like and a fluid type emulsions stabilized with hydrocolloids (gellan gum and xanthan-guar mixtures respectively) b) to model and predict the mechanical relaxation spectrum for both emulsions and continuous aqueous phases. Low-in-fat oil-in-water emulsions (20 g/100 g) were prepared using sunflower oil and Tween 80 (1 wt.%). Fluid emulsions containing xanthan and guar gums were formulated using a synergistic ratio 7:3, with total hydrocolloid concentration ranging between 0.5 to 2 wt%. The aqueous phases contained NaCl (2 wt.%) and acetic acid (2 wt.%). The effect of hydrocolloids was studied using oscillatory measurements (G’ and G” vs. frequency) within the linear viscoelastic range previously determined by stress-sweeps. Time-Concentration Superposition principle was applied to find the master curves that describe the mechanical spectra of the viscoelastic materials. Superposition allows to obtain a wide spectrum of nearly ten decades of frequencies in emulsions containing xanthan–guar mixtures, whereas gellan gum systems did not show a significant frequency displacement. Viscoelastic behavior of the systems was satisfactorily modeled using Baumgaertel-Schausberger-Winter (BSW) equation. This empirical model was used to predict the mechanical relaxation spectrum for both emulsions and continuous aqueous phases. Validation of the predicted spectra was carried out through creep compliance data for emulsion-filled gels and steady-state flow curves for emulsions containing xanthan–guar mixtures.     

The increased viability of probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius NRRL B-30514 encapsulated in emulsions with multiple lipid-protein-pectin layers

Probiotics have demonstrated various health benefits but have poor stability to sustain food processing and storage conditions, as well as after ingestion. Biopolymer beads are commonly studied to encapsulate probiotic cells to improve their stability, but the millimeter-dimension of these beads may not meet the quality requirement of food products. The aim of this study was to enhance the viability of Lactobacillus salivarius NRRL B-30514 by encapsulation in emulsion droplets with multiple lipid-protein-pectin layers. Spray-dried L. salivarius was suspended in melted anhydrous milk fat that was then emulsified in a neutral aqueous phase with whey protein isolate or sodium caseinate to prepare primary solid/oil/water (S/O/W) emulsions. Subsequently, pectin was electrostatically deposited onto the droplet surface at pH 3.0 to form secondary emulsions. The encapsulation efficiency was up to 90%. After 20-day storage at 4 °C, the viable cell counts of bacteria in secondary emulsions at pH 3.0 and primary emulsions at 7.0 were 3 log higher than the respective free cell controls. After heating at 63 °C for 30 min, free L. salivarius was inactivated to be undetectable, while about 2.0 log CFU/mL was observed for primary (at pH 7.0) and secondary (at pH 3.0) emulsion treatments. Additionally, a 5 log-CFU/g-powder reduction was observed after spray drying free L. salivarius, while a 2 log CFU/g reduction was observed for emulsion treatments with capsules smaller than 20 μm. Furthermore, cross-linking the secondary emulsion with calcium enhanced the viability of L. salivarius after the simulated gastric and intestinal digestions. Therefore, the studied S/O/W emulsion systems may be used to improve the viability of probiotics during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal digestion.     

Microstructural design to reduce lipid oxidation in oil-inwater emulsions

The influence of emulsifier type (Tween 20 and sodium caseinate (CAS)) and oil phase volume fraction (5% and 30%) on emulsion oxidative stability was investigated. The primary and secondary lipid oxidation products of emulsions stored at 40 °C were measured over 7 days. The results indicated that the oxidative stability of samples stabilised with CAS was significantly higher compared with emulsions stabilised with Tween 20. We propose that this is due to iron binding ability of CAS. Moreover, the impacts of Pickering emulsions (Silica particles) on lipid oxidation were studied and compared with Tween 20 stabilised emulsions. The results showed that silica particles could increase the oxidative stability of 20% sunflower oil-in-water emulsions by acting as a physical barrier between pro-oxidants located in continuous phase and hydroperxide at droplet interface.     

Influence of environmental stresses on the physicochemical stability of orange oil bilayer emulsions coated by lactoferrin–soybean soluble polysaccharides and lactoferrin–beet pectin

Based on layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition, orange oil bilayer emulsions stabilized with lactoferrin (LF)–soybean soluble polysaccharides (SSPS) and lactoferrin (LF)–beet pectin (BP) were prepared. The effect of environmental stresses (ionic strength, pH, freeze–thaw and light) on the physicochemical stability of primary and secondary emulsions was investigated. In the absence of anionic polysaccharides, orange oil emulsion was highly unstable and aggregated at pH 7–9 and NaCl of 0.1–0.5 M. The droplets in LF–SSPS coated emulsion were stable against aggregation at pH range of 3–10 and NaCl concentration less than 0.3 M, while the droplets in LF–BP coated emulsion were stable against aggregation at pH 4–9 and NaCl concentrations of 0–0.5 M. All the primary and secondary emulsions showed the instability after the freeze–thaw treatment and the stability could be improved in the presence of maltodextrin. During the light exposure (0.35 W/m², 45 °C) for 8 h, the bilayer emulsions could protect key volatile compounds (decanal, octanal and geranial) from the oxidation compared with the primary emulsions. These results suggested that the layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition could improve the stability of LF-coated emulsion to environmental stresses.     

Physical and oxidative stability of whey protein oil-in-water emulsions produced by conventional and ultra high-pressure homogenization: Effects of pressure and protein concentration on emulsion characteristics

Oil-in-water pre-emulsions (15% sunflower + 5% olive oils) obtained by colloid mill homogenization (CM) at 5000 rpm using whey protein isolate at different levels (1, 2 and 4%) were stabilized by ultra high-pressure homogenization (UHPH, 100 and 200 MPa) and by conventional homogenization (CH, 15 MPa). Emulsions were characterized for their physical properties (droplet size distribution, microstructure, surface protein concentration, emulsifying stability against creaming and coalescence, and viscosity) and oxidative stability (hydroperoxide content and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARs) under light (2000 lux/m² for 10 days). UHPH produced emulsions with lipid droplets of small size in the sub-micron range (100–200 nm) and low surface protein with unimodal distribution when produced at 4% whey proteins and 200 MPa. All emulsions exhibited Newtonian behavior (n ≈ 1). Long term physical stability against creaming and coalescence was observed in UHPH-emulsions, compared to those obtained by CM and CH. However, CH emulsions were highly stable against creaming (days) in comparison to the CM emulsions (hours). UHPH resulted in emulsions highly stable to oxidation compared to CM and CH treatments, especially when 100 MPa treatment was applied.Industrial relevanceIn the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors, industrial operators are currently interested in developing encapsulating systems to delivery bioactive compounds, which are generally hydrophobic, unstable and sensitive to light, temperature or/and oxygen. Ultra high-pressure homogenization is capable of producing stable submicron emulsions (< 1 μm) with a narrow size distribution, inducing more significant changes in the interfacial protein layer thus preventing droplet coalescence and also inhibit lipid oxidation. The present study suggests that emulsions produced by whey protein (4%) treated by ultra high-pressure homogenization have a good physical stability to flocculation, coalescence and creaming and also high stability to lipid oxidation, opening a wide range of opportunities in the formulation of emulsions containing bioactive components with lipid nature.     

Influence of emulsifier type on in vitro digestibility of lipid droplets by pancreatic lipase

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of interfacial composition on the in vitro digestion of emulsified lipids coated by various emulsifiers by pancreatic lipase. Sodium caseinate, whey protein isolate (WPI), lecithin and Tween 20 were used to prepare corn oil-in-water emulsions (3 wt% oil). Pancreatic lipase (1.6 mg/mL) and/or bile extract (5.0 mg/mL) were added to each emulsion and the particle charge, droplet aggregation, microstructure and free fatty acids released were measured. In the absence of bile extract, the amount of free fatty acids released per unit volume of emulsion was much lower for lipid droplets coated by Tween 20 (13 ± 16 μmol ml⁻¹) than those coated by lecithin (75 ± 20 μmol ml⁻¹), sodium caseinate (220 ± 24 μmol ml⁻¹) or WPI (212 ± 6 μmol ml⁻¹). In the presence of bile extract, there was an appreciable increase in the amount of free fatty acids released in all the emulsions, with the most appreciable effects being observed in the Tween 20-stabilized emulsions. The stability of the emulsions to droplet flocculation and coalescence during hydrolysis was also strongly dependent on emulsifier type, with the WPI emulsions being the least stable and the Tween 20 emulsions being the most stable. Our results suggest that the access of pancreatic lipase to emulsified fats decreases in the following order: proteins (caseinate and WPI) > phospholipids (lecithin) > non-ionic surfactants (Tween 20). These results may have important consequences for the design of foods with either increased or decreased lipid bioavailability.