Production of reduced-fat whipped toppings by solid fat-based W/O/W double emulsions: proof of concept

Water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsions present a reduced-fat alternative to conventional O/W food emulsions, as part of the dispersed oil phase is replaced with water. In this study, the concept of a reduced-fat whipped topping produced by W/O/W technology was proven. Whipping of a W/O/W emulsion, containing only 20% oil phase and a solid fat content of 78%, produced a superior whipped topping, in terms of firmness and overrun, compared to its whipped O/W emulsion counterparts. The presence of PGPR in the oil phase increased structure formation during whipping, while the additional dispersed-phase volume resulted in a better air inclusion. Two commercial monoacylglycerols (saturated and unsaturated) were investigated to improve the whipping properties of the produced W/O/W double emulsion. Both increased the susceptibility towards partial coalescence, thereby reducing whipping time and overrun, while increasing firmness of the produced whipped topping. Furthermore, the effect was stronger for the unsaturated than for the saturated monoacylglycerol.     

Water/Oil Emulsions Prepared by the Membrane Emulsification Method and Their Stability

We developed and tested a simple method to measure dispersed droplet size of W/O emulsions. Then, using a microporous glass membrane treated with oil phase, we produced a W/O emulsion with high water content (40% w/w) at a high emulsification rate by the membrane emulsification method, and assessed its stability. In comparison with emulsions by the stirring methods, variations in dispersed droplet size and viscosity of emulsions by membrane method were small and the emulsions were more stable. Droplet size was not related to the stability of the W/O emulsion prepared by membrane emulsification.     

Alginate‐Based Emulsion Template Containing High Oil Loading Stabilized by Nonionic Surfactants

Oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsion‐gel systems containing high oil payloads are of increasing interest for food applications because of the reduction in encapsulation cost, consumption frequency or volume of food products. This study shows a facile approach to prepare stable alginate‐based O/W emulsions at high oil loading using a mixture of nonionic surfactants (Tween 80 and Span 20) as a template to form gelled‐emulsions. The synergistic effects of alginate and surfactants on the O/W emulsion properties were evaluated in terms of oil droplet size and emulsion stability. At 2% (w/v) of alginate and 1% (w/v) of surfactants, the size distribution of oil droplets was narrow and monomodal, even at an oil loading of 70% (v/v). The emulsions formed were stable against phase separation. The oil droplet size could be further reduced to below 1 μm using a high‐shear homogenizer. The emulsions formed could be easily molded and gelled into solids of different shapes via ionic gelation. The findings of this study create possible avenues for applications in food industries.     

一种水包油包胶型乳液的制备及其在乳化肠中的应用

以结冷胶和无水氯化钙为内水相凝固剂,酪蛋白酸钠为外水相乳化剂,制备一种水包油包胶（S/O/W）型 乳液。以多重乳液粒径和分布为指标,研究酪蛋白酸钠添加量对S/O/W型多重乳液加工适应性的影响。结果表明： 正交试验得到S/O型单重乳液最佳制备条件为：内水相中结冷胶添加量0.2%、无水氯化钙添加量0.5%;内水相乳化 剂聚甘油蓖麻醇酯添加量2.5%;油相为精炼猪油,油水体积比3∶2;剪切速率17 500 r/min,剪切时间1.5 min。将制 得的S/O型单重乳液与不同添加量酪蛋白酸钠混合制得S/O/W型多重乳液。当酪蛋白酸钠添加量0.1%时,S/O/W型 多重乳液粒径符合加工要求,且贮藏、热处理、剪切稳定性较好。以多重乳液替代猪脂肪制备的低脂乳化肠与高脂 （精炼猪油含量20%）乳化肠外观不存在明显差异;微观结构观察结果表明,多重乳液在乳化肠中包裹良好、分布 均匀。     

Characterization of Chemically and Thermally Treated Oil‐in‐Water Heteroaggregates and Comparison to Conventional Emulsions

Heteroaggregated oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions formed by targeted combination of oppositely charged emulsion droplets were proposed to be used for the modulation of physical properties of food systems, ideally achieving the formation of a particulate 3‐dimensional network at comparably low‐fat content. In this study, rheological properties of Quillaja saponins (QS), sugar beet pectin (SBP), and whey protein isolate (WPI) stabilized conventional and heteroaggregated O/W emulsions at oil contents of 10% to 60% (w/w) were investigated. Selected systems having an oil content of 30% (w/w) and different particle sizes (d₄₃ ≤ 1.1 or ≥16.7 μm) were additionally subjected to chemical (genipin or glutaraldehyde) and thermal treatments, aiming to increase network stability. Subsequently, their rheological properties and stability were assessed. Yield stresses (τ₀) of both conventional and heteroaggregated O/W emulsions were found to depend on emulsifier type, oil content, and initial droplet size. For conventional emulsions, high yield stresses were only observed for SBP‐based emulsions (τ₀,_SBP approximately 157 Pa). Highest yield stresses of heteroaggregates were observed when using small droplets stabilized by SBP/WPI (approximately 15.4 Pa), being higher than those of QS/WPI (approximately 1.6 Pa). Subsequent treatments led to significant alterations in rheological properties for SBP/WPI systems, with yield stresses increasing 29‐fold (glutaraldehyde) and 2‐fold (thermal treatment) compared to untreated heteroaggregates, thereby surpassing yield stresses of similarly treated conventional SBP emulsions. Genipin‐driven treatments proved to be ineffective. Results should be of interest to food manufacturers wishing to design viscoelastic food emulsion based systems at lower oil droplet contents.     

Mechanisms of lipid oxidation in water-in-oil emulsions and oxidomics-guided discovery of targeted protective approaches

Lipid oxidation is an inevitable event during the processing, storage, and even consumption of lipid-containing food, which may cause adverse effects on both food quality and human health. Water-in-oil (W/O) food emulsions contain a high content of lipids and small water droplets, which renders them vulnerable to lipid oxidation. The present review provides comprehensive insights into the lipid oxidation of W/O food emulsions. The key influential factors of lipid oxidation in W/O food emulsions are presented systematically. To better interpret the specific mechanisms of lipid oxidation in W/O food emulsions, a comprehensive detection method, oxidative lipidomics (oxidomics), is proposed to identify novel markers, which not only tracks the chemical molecules but also considers the changes in supramolecular properties, sensory properties, and nutritional value. The microstructure of emulsions, components from both phases, emulsifiers, pH, temperature, and light should be taken into account to identify specific oxidation markers. A correlation of these novel oxidation markers with the shelf life, the organoleptic properties, and the nutritional value of W/O food emulsions should be applied to develop targeted protective approaches for limiting lipid oxidation. Accordingly, the processing parameters, the application of antioxidants and emulsifiers, as well as packing and storage conditions can be optimized to develop W/O emulsions with improved oxidative stability. This review may help in emphasizing the future research priorities of investigating the mechanisms of lipid oxidation in W/O emulsion by oxidomics, leading to practical solutions for the food industry to prevent oxidative rancidity in W/O food emulsions.     

Impact of iron encapsulation within the interior aqueous phase of water-in-oil-in-water emulsions on lipid oxidation

Iron (Fe³⁺) was encapsulated within the internal aqueous phase of water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions, and then the impact of this iron on the oxidative stability of fish oil droplets was examined. There was no significant change in lipid droplet diameter in the W/O/W emulsions during 7 days storage, suggesting that the emulsions were stable to lipid droplet flocculation and coalescence, and internal water diffusion/expulsion. The initial iron encapsulation (4 mg/100 g emulsion) within the internal aqueous phase of the water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions was high (>99.75%), although, a small amount leaked out over 7 days storage (≈10 μg/100 g emulsion). When W/O/W emulsions were mixed with fish oil droplets the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) formed decreased (compared to fish oil droplets alone) by an amount that depended on iron concentration and location, i.e., no added iron < iron in external aqueous phase < iron in internal aqueous phase. These differences were attributed to the impact of W/O droplets on the concentration and location of iron and lipid oxidation reaction products within the system.     

Surface-active solid lipid nanoparticles as Pickering stabilizers for oil-in-water emulsions

Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions solely stabilized by surface-active solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were developed. The SLNs were generated by quench-cooling hot O/W nanoemulsions consisting of 7.5% glyceryl stearyl citrate (GSC) dispersed in water. Their initial volume-weighted mean particle diameter (～152 nm) and zeta potential (ca.-49 mV) remained unchanged for 24 weeks. O/W emulsions (oil phase volume fraction: 0.2) containing 7.5% (w/w) GSC SLNs in the aqueous phase were kinetically-stable for 12 weeks and did not visually phase-separate over 24 weeks. The O/W emulsions generated with solid-state GSC SLNs had a volume-weighted mean oil droplet diameter of ～459 nm and a zeta potential of ca.-43 mV. Emulsion microstructure evaluated with TEM revealed dispersed oil droplets sparsely covered with adsorbed Pickering-type SLNs as well aggregated SLNs present in the continuous phase. Gradual emulsion destabilization resulted from GSC SLN dissolution during the experimental timeframe. Overall, surface-active SLNs developed via nanoemulsions effectively kinetically stabilized O/W emulsions.     

Stability and Oil Migration of Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions Emulsified by Phase‐Separating Biopolymer Mixtures

Oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions with varying concentration of oil phase, medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT), were prepared using phase‐separating gum arabic (GA)/sugar beet pectin (SBP) mixture as an emulsifier. Stability of the emulsions including emulsion phase separation, droplet size change, and oil migration were investigated by means of visual observation, droplet size analysis, oil partition analysis, backscattering of light, and interfacial tension measurement. It was found that in the emulsions prepared with 4.0% GA/1.0% SBP, when the concentration of MCT was greater than 2.0%, emulsion phase separation was not observed and the emulsions were stable with droplet size unchanged during storage. This result proves the emulsification ability of phase‐separating biopolymer mixtures and their potential usage as emulsifiers to prepare O/W emulsion. However, when the concentration of MCT was equal or less than 2.0%, emulsion phase separation occurred after preparation resulting in an upper SBP‐rich phase and a lower GA‐rich phase. The droplet size increased in the upper phase whereas decreased slightly in the lower phase with time, compared to the freshly prepared emulsions. During storage, the oil droplets exhibited a complex migration process: first moving to the SBP‐rich phase, then to the GA‐rich phase and finally gathering at the interface between the two phases. The mechanisms of the emulsion stability and oil migration in the phase‐separated emulsions were discussed.     

酒精对酪蛋白酸钠溶液及O/W乳状液的影响

介绍了酒精对酪蛋白酸钠溶液及酪蛋白稳定的O/W乳状液性质的影响 .试验表明酒精在一定程度上可以降低酪蛋白酸钠的溶解度 .界面张力的测定则表明酒精的存在在很大程度上可以降低油—水界面和油—酪蛋白溶液界面的界面张力 .含酒精的乳状液体系的粘度会由于酒精的存在而提高 ,在酒精体积分数达 3 0 %时 ,乳状液体系的粘度会突然大幅度升高 .通过O/W乳状液的分层稳定性测定可发现 ,低浓度的酒精可以提高酪蛋白稳定的乳状液的分层稳定性 ,但酒精质体积分数超过 3 2 %时 ,乳状液的分层稳定性会受到破坏 .含酒精的O/W乳状液体系中油相含量的提高在一定范围内可以提高乳状液的稳定性 ,但高分散相浓度的含酒精的乳状液体系中由于连续相中酒精浓度的提高使乳状液体系稳定性下降 .     

米糠蛋白O/W及W/O/W乳液制备及界面稳定性

为对比不同米糠蛋白质量浓度下O/W及W/O/W乳液的稳定性,以米糠蛋白作为基料,采用双乳化法制备O/W及W/O/W乳液,考察不同米糠蛋白质量浓度下乳液的微观形态和稳定性并探究其界面稳定机理。结果表明：W/O/W乳液的贮存稳定性显著优于O/W乳液;与相同蛋白含量的O/W乳液相比,W/O/W乳液的黏度显著提高;当米糠蛋白质量浓度为0.4 g/100 mL时,W/O/W乳液的稳定性较O/W乳液提高了1 倍以上;乳液内部包裹更多的W/O液滴,W/O/W乳液的粒径较大;而此时静电斥力也较大,起到稳定乳液的目的。同时,米糠蛋白质量浓度不小于0.4 g/100 mL时,O/W及W/O/W乳液中蛋白质的吸附率较高,达到78%以上。本研究为天然米糠蛋白质在食品级乳液中的开发提供参考,为粮食副产物的综合利用提供了新思路。     

Synergistic effects of polyglycerol ester of polyricinoleic acid and sodium caseinate on the stabilisation of water–oil–water emulsions

The inherent thermodynamic instability of water–oil–water (W/O/W) emulsions has restrictions for their application in food systems. The objective of this study was to develop a food grade W/O/W emulsions with high yield and stability using minimal concentrations of surfactants. Emulsions were prepared using soybean oil, polyglycerol ester of polyricinoleic acid (PGPR) alone or in combination with sodium caseinate (NaCN) as emulsifier(s) for primary water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions and NaCN as the sole emulsifier for secondary W/O/W emulsions. Increasing the concentration of PGPR (0.5–8%w/v) had no effect on the droplet sizes of the resulting W/O/W emulsions. However, significant increases in droplet sizes of W/O/W emulsions were observed when the concentration of NaCN in external phase was reduced from 0.5 to 0.03% (w/v) (p<0.05). Percentage yields of emulsions (using a water-soluble dye) improved when PGPR concentration in the inner phase was increased from 0.5 to 8% (w/v). A stable W/O/W emulsion with a yield >90% could be prepared with 4% (w/v) PGPR alone as primary hydrophobic emulsifier and 0.5% (w/v) NaCN as external hydrophilic emulsifier. The concentration of PGPR in the inner phase could be reduced to 2% (w/v) without affecting the yield and stability of the W/O/W emulsion by partially replacing PGPR with 0.5% (w/v) NaCN, which was added to the aqueous phase of the primary W/O emulsion. The results indicate that a possible synergistic effect may exist between PGPR and NaCN, thus allowing formulation of double emulsions with reduced surfactant concentration.     

Stability of Bisphenol A (BPA) in Oil-In Water Emulsions under Riboflavin Photosensitization

Effects of riboflavin photosensitization on the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) were determined in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or sodium azide, which are a metal chelator or a singlet oxygen quencher, respectively. Also, the distribution of BPA between the continuous and dispersed phases in O/W emulsions was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of BPA in O/W emulsions significantly decreased by 38.6% after 2 h under visible light irradiation and in the presence of riboflavin (P < 0.05). Addition of EDTA and sodium azide protected the decomposition of BPA significantly in a concentration dependent manner (P < 0.05), which implies both transition metals and singlet oxygen accelerate the photodegradation of BPA in O/W emulsions. Approximately 21.7% of the BPA was distributed in the 2.5% (w/v) dispersed lipid particles and 78.3% was in the continuous aqueous phase of the emulsions. The amount of BPA in aqueous phase decreased faster than the amount of BPA in the lipid phase during riboflavin photosensitization (P < 0.05). Thus, the BPA in the aqueous phase was the major target of riboflavin photodegradation in O/W emulsions. Practical Application: Concentration of BPA, an endocrine disrupting chemical, was decreased significantly in oil-in-water emulsions under riboflavin and visible light irradiation. BPA in continuous aqueous phase was major target of riboflavin photosensitization. However, BPA was distributed more densely in lipid phase and more protected from riboflavin photosensitized O/W emulsions. This study can help to decrease the level of BPA in foods made of O/W emulsions containing riboflavin, which could be displayed under visible light irradiation.     

Double Emulsions Relevant to Food Systems: Preparation,Stability, and Applications

This review describes advances in the preparation of food‐relevant double emulsions (DEs) of the water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) and oil‐in‐water‐in‐oil (O/W/O) types with emphasis on research published within the last decade. The information is assembled and critically evaluated according to the following aspects: the food application area, the range of encapsulated components and emulsion composition, the emulsification preparation methods, the balancing of the osmotic pressure, the stabilization by increased viscosity or gelation, the role of protein–polysaccharide interactions, and the techniques used to estimate DE yield and emulsification efficiency. Particular focus is directed toward the control of encapsulation and release behavior, including strategies that have been employed to improve the retention ability of the inner phase droplets by modifying the outer oil–water interface through mixed ingredient interactions, Pickering stabilization by particles, and biopolymer gelation. We also briefly consider the incorporation of DEs into dried microcapsules and the stability of W/O/W emulsions during eating and digestion. It would appear that 2 outstanding issues are currently preventing full realization of the potential of DEs in food applications: (i) the lack of availability of large‐scale production equipment to ensure efficient nondestructive 2nd‐stage emulsification, and (ii) the limited range of food‐grade ingredients available to successfully replace polyglycerol polyricinoleate as the primary emulsifier in W/O/W formulations.     

Occlusive power evaluation of O/W/O multiple emulsions on gelatin support cells

The water content of the stratum corneum plays an important role in providing skin suppleness and smoothness. The diffusion of water through the skin is limited primarily by the stratum corneum and the noncornified part of the epidermis has negligible water barrier properties. Multiple emulsions are vesicular systems utilized for the prolonged liberation of active ingredients. The O/W/O multiple emulsion type is employed in cosmetics because its high oil content is able to maintain an occlusive film (barrier) on the skin surface. The objective of this study was to determine the occlusive power of O/W/O multiple emulsions on gelatin support cells. The results showed that occlusive products form a uniform layer on the surface of gelatin after the test, whereas nonocclusive products form two layers: an aqueous phase on the gelatin, and an oil phase above the aqueous phase. Thus, the different occlusive powers are due to the homogeneity of this layer and to its ability to prevent water evaporation.     

Preparation and Characterization of Water/Oil/Water Emulsions Stabilized by Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate and Whey Protein Isolate

ABSTRACT: In this study we tried to prepare stable water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions using polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as a hydrophobic emulsifier and whey protein isolate (WPI) as a hydrophilic emulsifier. At first, water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions was prepared, and then 40 wt% of this W/O emulsion was homogenized with 60 wt% aqueous solution of different WPI contents (2, 4, and 6 wt% WPI) using a high-pressure homogenizer (14 and 22 MPa) to produce W/O/W emulsions. The mean size of final W/O/W droplets ranged from 3.3 to 9.9 μm in diameter depending on the concentrations of PGPR and WPI. It was shown that most of the W/O/W droplets were small (<5 μm) in size but a small population of large oil droplets (d > 20 μm) was also occasionally observed. W/O/W emulsions prepared at the homogenization pressure of 22 MPa had a larger mean droplet size than that prepared at 14 MPa, and showed a microstructure consisting of mainly approximately 6 to 7-μm droplets. When a water-soluble dye PTSA as a model ingredient was loaded in the inner water phase, all W/O/W emulsions showed a high encapsulation efficiency of the dye (>90%) in the inner water phase. Even after 2 wk of storage, >90% of the encapsulated dye still remained in the inner water phase; however, severe droplet aggregation was observed at relatively high PGPR and WPI concentrations.     

Preparation of Monodisperse Food-Grade Oleuropein-Loaded W/O/W Emulsions Using Microchannel Emulsification and Evaluation of Their Storage Stability

W/O/W emulsion is an emerging system in developing new functional and low-calorie food products. The aim of this study is to produce food-grade monodisperse water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions loaded with a hydrophilic bioactive oleuropein. W/O/W emulsions were prepared via high-pressure homogenization and subsequent microchannel (MC) emulsification. The internal aqueous phase was a 5-mM sodium phosphate buffer containing d(+)-glucose (5 wt.%) and oleuropein (0.1–0.7 wt.%). The oil phase consisted of soybean oil and tetraglycerin monolaurate condensed ricinoleic acid esters (TGCR; 3–8 wt.%). The external aqueous phase was a 5-mM sodium phosphate buffer containing d(+)-glucose (5 wt.%) and decaglycerol monolaurate (1 wt.%). Oleuropein-loaded submicron W/O emulsions with average droplet diameters as small as 0.15 μm and monomodal droplet size distributions were prepared by high-pressure homogenization when applying high TGCR concentrations of 5–8 wt.% and low oleuropein concentrations of 0.1–0.3 wt.%. Monodisperse oleuropein-loaded W/O/W emulsions with average W/O droplet diameters of around 27 μm and coefficients of variation of below 5 % were successfully prepared when using a silicon MC array plate with wide channels of 5-μm depth and 18-μm width. The monodisperse W/O/W emulsions prepared at high TGCR concentrations and low oleuropein concentrations were the most stable during 40 days of storage. The adsorption behavior of oleuropein at the internal aqueous–oil interface was relevant to W/O/W emulsions microstructure and stability. The results are believed to provide useful information for successfully preparing stable monodisperse W/O/W emulsions loaded with hydrophilic functional compounds. The surface activity of the loaded material seems to be a key parameter in optimizing the formulation of W/O/W food emulsion.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant or Prooxidant Properties of Selected Amino Acids Using In Vitro Assays and in Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions Under Riboflavin Sensitization

The antioxidant properties of selected amino acids were tested using in vitro assays and oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions under riboflavin (RF) photosensitization. Headspace oxygen content, lipid hydroperoxides, and conjugated dienes were determined for the degree of oxidation. Riboflavin photosensitization was adapted as the oxidation driving force. In vitro assays showed that cysteine had the highest antioxidant properties followed by tryptophan and tyrosine. However, in O/W emulsions under RF photosensitization, tyrosine inhibited lipid oxidation whereas tryptophan acted as a prooxidant. Tryptophan accelerated the rates of oxidation in O/W emulsion without RF. The antioxidant properties of amino acids differed depending on the antioxidant determination methods, oxidation driving forces, and food matrices.     

Release rate profiles of magnesium from multiple W/O/W emulsions

Water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions were formulated based on rapeseed oil, olive oil, olein and miglyol. Polyglycerol polyricinoleate and sodium caseinate were used as lipophilic and hydrophilic emulsifiers, respectively. Magnesium was encapsulated in the inner aqueous droplets. Emulsion stability was assayed through particle sizing and magnesium release at two storage temperatures (4 and 25 °C) over 1 month. Irrespective of the oil nature, both the primary W/O and W/O/W emulsions were quite stable regarding the size parameters, with 10-μm fat globules and 1-μm internal water droplets. Magnesium leakage from W/O/W emulsions was influenced by the oil type used in the formulation: the higher leakage values were obtained for the oils characterized by the lower viscosity and the higher proportion of saturated fatty acids. Magnesium release was not due to droplet–globule coalescence but rather to diffusion and/or permeation mechanisms with a characteristic rate that varied over time. In addition, W/O/W emulsions were resistant to various thermal treatments that mimicked that used in pasteurization processes. Finally, when W/O/W emulsions were placed in the presence of pancreatic lipase, the emulsion triglycerides were hydrolysed by the enzyme. These results indicated a possible use of W/O/W emulsions loaded with magnesium ions in food applications.     

Double emulsions (W/O/W): physical characteristics and perceived intensity of salty taste

This study addressed the correlation between physical characteristics of double emulsions and sensory perception, as the microstructure of these systems may provide the mechanism to understanding the initial cause of the altered salty taste. Thus, double emulsions (W/O/W) were prepared using different volumes of the internal aqueous phase while maintaining the same fat and sodium contents in the evaluated systems. Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) and tween 80 were used as hydrophobic and hydrophilic emulsifiers, respectively. After preparation, the samples were stored at 25 °C for 4 days and submitted to analysis of optical microscopy, distribution and polydispersity of the oil droplets size, electrical conductivity, rheological behaviour and sensorial analysis. It was found that the use of different emulsifier concentrations (PGPR) did not influence the physical characteristics of the emulsions with the same formulation, but emulsions with different internal aqueous phase concentrations presented different results. These distinct characteristics may have influenced sensorial perception, as the emulsion with higher internal phase concentration was considered saltier. Thus, it can be concluded that structural differences of the double emulsions can be used to decrease the sodium contents without perceivable changes in salty taste.