Influence of different β-glucans on the physical and rheological properties of egg yolk stabilized oil-in-water emulsions

The objective of this study was to obtain additional information on the influence of different β-glucan preparations, i.e. curdlan (CL), barley (BG), oat (OG), and yeast (YG) β-glucans, on the physical and rheological properties of egg yolk stabilized oil-in-water emulsions containing 20% oil. The emulsion without β-glucan (REF) was also prepared as a reference. Addition of CL and OG increased emulsion oil droplet sizes, whereas BG and YG showed no effect. Emulsion microstructures revealed that β-glucans induced flocculation of the oil droplet in the following order: CL > BG ≈ OG > YG. Dynamic oscillatory shear tests indicated that all emulsions exhibited weak gel-like characteristics which were enhanced by β-glucans addition as evidenced by an increase in G′ and a decrease in tan δ values. Flow tests showed that β-glucans enhanced thixotropy and yield stress of the emulsions. Stability tests demonstrated that β-glucans addition improved creaming stability of the emulsions during storage possibly due to an increase in viscosity of the continuous phase and/or a formation of a three-dimensional droplet network. CL exhibited the most pronounced effects on the aforementioned properties of emulsions compared to the other β-glucans tested. YG gave emulsion with higher viscoelastic properties and yield stress but lower stability than those made with BG or OG, indicating complex relationship between rheology and stability of these emulsion systems.     

Effect of partially hydrolyzed oat β-glucan on the weight gain and lipid profile of mice

Oat β-glucan hydrolysates with different molecular weights were prepared and their physicochemical, hypocholesterolemic, and weight-reducing characteristics were evaluated. The enzymatic hydrolysis by cellulase caused a decrease in the molecular weight of oat β-glucan (1450–370 × 10³ g/mol), which also affected swelling power and bile acid/fat binding capacities. In addition, mice were fed high-fat diet supplemented with β-glucans with three different molecular weights (1450, 730, 370 × 10³ g/mol). The diets treated with β-glucans significantly reduced the body weight of the mice. However, the molecular weight of β-glucans did not appear to significantly affect the serum lipid profile.     

Cryogelation of cereal β-glucans: structure and molecular size effects

The effects of molecular size and fine structure of mixed-linkage cereal (1→3), (1→4) β- -glucans (β-glucans) on their cryogelation behavior were investigated. Values of apparent molecular weight (M_w) for oat β-glucans ranged between 65 and 200×10³, whereas the respective values for both barley and wheat β-glucan preparations were about 200×10³. The fine structure of cereal β-glucans, as assessed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography of the cellulosic oligomers released by the action of lichenase, revealed differences in the relative amounts of 3-O-β-cellobiosyl- -glucose (DP3) and 3-O-β-cellotriosyl- -glucose (DP4) units only among the different genera of cereals; the weight percent of DP3 units estimated as 67.1, 63.3, and 55.3–55.8% for wheat, barley, and oat β-glucans, respectively. Aqueous β-glucan solutions (1–3% w/v) were subjected to 12 freezing (−18 °C for 24 h) and thawing (5 °C for 24 h) cycles. The phenomenological appearance of the gelled materials obtained after this process as well as the yield of cryostructurates were influenced by the initial solution concentration, the number of freeze–thaw cycles, as well as by the molecular features of the β-glucans. Such effects were unraveled by studying the cryogelation process with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small strain dynamic rheometry, and large deformation mechanical measurements. For the cereal β-glucan cryogels the storage modulus, G′, increased and the tan δ decreased with decreasing polysaccharide molecular size and with increasing initial solution concentration, number of freeze–thaw cycles, and trisaccharide segments in the polymeric chains. The apparent melting enthalpy values (ΔH) of β-glucan cryostructurates, as determined from the DSC endothermic peaks, increased with decreasing molecular size and with increasing amount of cellotriose units, but they were independent of the number of freeze–thaw cycles. The DSC melting temperature of the gel network was found to increase with the molecular size and amount of DP3 units of β-glucans. Moreover, large deformation mechanical tests (compression mode) revealed an increase in strength of cereal β-glucan cryogels with increasing molecular size and decreasing trisaccharide units in the polysaccharide preparation.     

Stability and Rheological Properties of Egg Yolk Granule Stabilized Emulsions with Pectin and Guar Gum

The effects of pectin and guar gum on rheology, microstructure and creaming stability of 1% (w/v) egg yolk granule stabilized emulsions were investigated. While the addition of low amount of pectin (0.1% (w/v)) had no effect on the emulsion viscosity, the addition of 0.5% (w/v) pectin greatly increased the viscosity. Granule-stabilized emulsion without hydrocolloids reflects the pseudoplastic behavior (shear-thinning behavior with flow behavior index, n < 1.0). Hydrocolloids, especially at high concentrations, affected the viscoelastic behavior of the emulsions and both storage (G′) and loss modulus (G′′) were regarded as frequency dependent. Emulsions behaved like a liquid with G′′ > G′ at lower frequencies, and like an elastic solid with G′ > G′′ at higher frequencies. Emulsion microstructure indicated that the presence of hydrocolloids induced flocculation. Creaming stability of emulsions was enhanced by the presence of hydrocolloids and increasing hydrocolloid concentration decreased the creaming by restricting the movement of oil droplets.     

Rheological properties and stability of model salad dressing emulsions prepared with a dry-heated soybean protein isolate–dextran mixture

The rheological characteristics of model salad dressing emulsions, incorporating a dry-heated soybean protein isolate (SPI)–dextran mixture as emulsifier, were investigated by applying dynamic rheometry tests in an attempt to probe the emulsion structure and to elucidate the mechanism of their stability against creaming. Both the viscoelastic properties and the creaming behaviour of the dressings were greatly influenced by the extent of protein–dextran conjugation and also by xanthan gum addition. The results are discussed in terms of emulsion droplet interactions which, depending on the extent of glyco-conjugation, may be dominated by depletion or ‘bridging’ flocculation effects and, thereby, influence the droplet network structure collapse during ageing.     

Influence of κ-carrageenan on the properties of a protein-stabilized emulsion

We report on the influence of κ-carrageenan (κ-CAR) on the surface activity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and on the properties of BSA-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions. Surface tension data at low ionic strength indicate an electrostatic interaction at neutral pH which becomes much stronger at pH 6. The effect of the attractive BSA–κ-CAR interaction on the state of aggregation and creaming stability of protein-stabilized emulsions (20 vol% n-tetradecane, 1.7 wt% BSA, 5 mM) has been investigated at three pH values. At pH 6 the system behaviour is interpreted in terms of bridging flocculation leading to an emulsion droplet gel network over a certain limited polysaccharide concentration range. While the trend of behaviour is qualitatively similar to that reported recently for equivalent BSA+ι-carrageenan (ι-CAR) solutions and emulsions, the BSA–κ-CAR interaction is clearly weaker than the BSA–ι-CAR interaction under similar pH and ionic strength conditions. This means that a higher polysaccharide content is required to induce flocculation in systems containing κ-CAR, and also that the resulting emulsion gel network is weaker. The behaviour is consistent with the lower density of charged sulfate groups on the κ-CAR as compared with the ι-CAR.     

Effect of high-methoxy pectin on properties of casein-stabilized emulsions

We report on the effect of high-methoxy pectin on the stability and rheological properties of fine sunflower oil-in-water emulsions prepared with α_s1-casein, β-casein or sodium caseinate. The aqueous phase was buffered at pH 7.0 or 5.5 and the ionic strength was adjusted with sodium chloride in the range 0.01–0.2 M. Average emulsion droplet sizes were found to be slightly larger at the lower pH and/or with pectin present during emulsification. Analysis of the serum phase after centrifugation indicated that some pectin becomes incorporated into the interfacial layer at pH 5.5 but not at pH 7.0. This was also supported by electrophoretic mobility measurements on protein-coated emulsion droplets and surface shear viscometry of adsorbed layers at the planar oil–water interface. A low pectin concentration (0.1 wt%) was found to give rapid serum separation of moderately dilute emulsions (11 vol% oil, 0.6 wt% protein) and highly pseudoplastic rheological behaviour of concentrated emulsions (40 vol% oil, 2 wt% protein). We attribute this to reversible depletion flocculation of protein-coated droplets by non-adsorbed pectin. At ionic strength below 0.1 M, the initial average droplet sizes, the creaming behaviour, and the rheology were found to be similar for emulsions made with either of the individual caseins (α_s1 and β) or with sodium caseinate. At higher ionic strength, however, whereas emulsions containing β-casein or sodium caseinate were stable, the corresponding α_s1-casein emulsions exhibited irreversible salt-induced flocculation which was not inhibited by the presence of the pectin.     

Interaction between Emulsion Droplets and Escherichia coli Cells

ABSTRACT Oil‐in‐water emulsions (20% n‐hexadecane, v/v) were stabilized by dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), Tween 20, or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Particle size distribution and creaming stability were measured before and after adding Escherichia coli cells to emulsions. Both E. coli strains promoted droplet flocculation, coalescence, and creaming in DTAB emulsions, although JM109 cells (surface charge = ‐35 mV) caused faster creaming than E21 cells (surface charge = ‐5 mV). Addition of bacterial cells to SDS emulsions promoted some flocculation and coalescence, but creaming stability was unaffected. Droplet aggregation and accelerated creaming were not observed in emulsions prepared with Tween 20. Surface charges of bacterial cells and emulsion droplets played a key role in emulsion stability.     

Influence of chitosan and NaCl on physicochemical properties of low-acid tuna oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by non-ionic surfactant

An influence of low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan on physicochemical properties and stability of low-acid (pH 6) tuna oil-in-water emulsion stabilized by non-ionic surfactant (Tween 80) was studied. The mean droplet diameter, droplet charge (ζ-potential), creaming stability and microstructure of emulsions (5 wt% oil) were evaluated. The added chitosan was adsorbed on the surface of oil droplets stabilized by Tween 80 through electrostatic interactions. Such addition of chitosan at different concentrations (0–10 wt%) to emulsions showed slight effect on the mean droplet diameter. However, the degree of flocculation was a function of chitosan concentration assessed by emulsions' microstructure and creaming index. The impact of chitosan on the strength of the colloidal interaction between the emulsion droplets increased with increasing chitosan concentration. The mean diameter of droplet in emulsions increased with increasing NaCl because of the electrostatic screening effect. The addition of LMW chitosan could be performed to create tuna oil emulsions with low-acid to neutral character, as well as various physicochemical and stability properties suitable for health food products.     

Factors influencing the production of o/w emulsions stabilized by β-lactoglobulin–pectin membranes

A primary emulsion was prepared by homogenizing 10 wt% corn oil with 90 wt% aqueous β-lactoglobulin solution (0.5 wt% β-lg, pH 3 or 7) using a two-stage high-pressure valve homogenizer. This emulsion was mixed with aqueous pectin (citrus, 59% DE) stock solution (2 wt%, pH 3 or 7) and NaCl solution to yield secondary emulsions with 5 wt% corn oil, 0.225 wt% β-lactoglobulin, 0.2 wt% pectin and 0 or 100 mM NaCl. The final pH of the emulsions was then adjusted (3–8). Primary and secondary emulsions were ultrasonically treated (30 s, 20 kHz, 40% amplitude) to disrupt any flocculated droplets. Secondary emulsions were more stable than primary emulsions at intermediate pHs. Secondary emulsions prepared at pH 7 had smaller particle diameters (0.35 to 6 μm) than those prepared at pH 3 (0.42 to 18 μm) across the whole pH range studied, and also had smaller diameters than the primary emulsions (0.35 to 14 μm). Ultrasound treatment reduced the particle diameter of both primary and secondary emulsions and lowered the rate of creaming. The presence of NaCl screened the charges and thus the electrostatic interaction between biopolymer molecules and primary emulsion droplets. Secondary emulsions were more stable to the presence of 100 mM NaCl at low pHs (3–4) than primary emulsions. This study shows that stable emulsions can be prepared by engineering their interfacial membranes using the electrostatic interaction of natural biopolymers, especially at intermediate pHs where proteins normally fail to function.     

The role of Tween in inhibiting heat-induced destabilization of yolk-based emulsions

The process of heat-induced destabilization of yolk-based emulsions and the role of Tween addition in inhibiting droplet aggregation/coalescence in the thermally treated emulsions were investigated. The aim of the study was to understand the mechanism behind yolk emulsion destabilization during the application of processes such as pasteurization/sterilization and/or cooking. Data on emulsion particle size distribution were combined with results on yolk protein adsorption to clarify the role of the unadsorbed yolk protein fraction in the destabilization of the thermally treated emulsion. Surface tension measurements were also conducted to investigate yolk protein–Tween interactions at the air/water interface and their effect on emulsion stability. The presence in the emulsion continuous phase of unadsorbed yolk protein is crucial for the thermal destabilization of the system. Tween addition inhibits droplet flocculation/coalescence phenomena by shielding the reactive groups of protein molecules adsorbed at the droplet surfaces and those of unadsorbed proteins in the emulsion continuous phase which become available for interaction following heating and protein denaturation.     

Differences in in vitro gastric behaviour between homogenized milk and emulsions stabilised by Tween 80, whey protein,or whey protein and caseinate

This study focuses on the behaviour of liquid food emulsion systems in the stomach. Gastric digestion was studied in vitro using a stomach model consisting of a thermostatted titration vessel to which solutions of HCl, pepsin and a lipase were simultaneously added slowly. Four systems were studied: a whey protein-stabilised emulsion, a whey protein-stabilised emulsion with additional sodium caseinate, a Tween 80 stabilised emulsion, and homogenized full fat milk. It is shown that the in vitro colloidal behaviour of the systems under simulated gastric conditions is influenced significantly by their composition. The Tween 80 stabilised emulsion did not show instabilities, whereas the two protein-stabilised emulsions and full fat milk showed extensive flocculation, which for the protein-stabilized emulsions led to creaming and for full fat milk led to sedimentation. The experimental results also show some coalescence in the Tween 80 and milk systems. The formation of free fatty acids did not vary much between the systems, showing that flocculation and coalescence did not strongly affect lipolysis. The possible physiological relevance of these different behaviours are discussed, suggesting differences in stomach emptying rate and feelings of fullness and satiety.     

Influence of xanthan gum on the formation and stability of sodium caseinate oil-in-water emulsions

Studies have been made of the changes in droplet sizes, surface coverage and creaming stability of emulsions formed with 30% (w/w) soya oil, and aqueous solution containing 1 or 3% (w/w) sodium caseinate and varying concentrations of xanthan gum. Addition of xanthan prior to homogenization had no significant effect on average emulsion droplet size and surface protein concentration in all emulsions studied. However, addition of low levels of xanthan (≤0.2 wt%) caused flocculation of droplets that resulted in a large decrease in creaming stability and visual phase separation. At higher xanthan concentrations, the creaming stability improved, apparently due to the formation of network of flocculated droplets. It was found that emulsions formed with 3% sodium caseinate in the absence of xanthan showed extensive flocculation that resulted in very low creaming stability. The presence of xanthan in these emulsions increased the creaming stability, although the emulsion droplets were still flocculated. It appears that creaming stability of emulsions made with mixtures of sodium caseinate and xanthan was more closely related to the structure and rheology of the emulsion itself rather than to the rheology of the aqueous phase.     

Effects of xanthan gum on physicochemical properties and stability of corn oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate

The influence of added xanthan gum on rheological and dispersion characteristics and stability of concentrated (50% w/w) corn oil-in-water emulsions, stabilized with 5% (percentage on oil amount) polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), have been investigated. Emulsion with no xanthan indicated coalescence and poor creaming stability. All emulsions, with and without xanthan, showed shear-thinning flow behavior. Addition of xanthan protected emulsions from coalescence during 15 days of storage. Increase in xanthan concentration led to decrease in droplet average radius and creaming index, and increase in elastic properties of emulsions. Decrease in the emulsions flow behavior indexes, which suggested the extent of non-Newtonian behavior of emulsions, was influenced by increase in xanthan concentration. Above 0.04% of xanthan concentration, G′ and G″ values indicated formation of weak gels. Gel structure existence arises from droplet network association, due to depletion flocculation. Standard deviation of emulsions droplet size mean diameter decreased while concentration of added xanthan increased.     

Oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by chitin nanocrystal particles

The aim of the present study was to investigate the oil-in-water emulsion stabilizing ability of chitin nanocrystals (colloidal rod-like particles) and the factors that may influence the properties of such systems. Chitin nanocrystal aqueous dispersions were prepared by acid hydrolysis of crude chitin from crab shells and oil-in-water emulsions were generated by homogenizing appropriate quantities of a chitin nanocrystal stock aqueous dispersion with corn oil, using an ultra-sonic homogenizer. The resulting emulsions were visually evaluated for their creaming behaviour upon storage. Additionally, the samples were studied with static light scattering, small deformation oscillatory rheometry and optical microscopy, under different conditions of nanocrystal concentration, ionic strength, pH and temperature. The chitin nanocrystals were proven quite effective in stabilizing o/w emulsions against coalescence, over a period of one month, as evidenced by static light experiments and microscopy, and this could be attributed to the adsorption of the nanocrystals at the oil–water interface. The rheological data provided evidence for network formation in the emulsions with increasing chitin nanocrystal concentration. Such a gel-like behaviour was attributed to an inter-droplet network structure and the formation of a chitin nanocrystal network in the continuous phase. The stability of the emulsions to creaming increased with an increase in nanocrystal concentration. Finally, by raising the temperature (20–74 °C), NaCl concentration (up to 200 mM) or pH (from 3.0 to 6.7) there was an enhancement of the emulsion elastic character and creaming stability.     

Structure and physicochemical properties of β-glucans and arabinoxylans isolated from hull-less barley

The molecular characteristics of β-glucans and arabinoxylans from selected hull-less barleys were examined following their sequential extraction with water (45 and 95 °C), Ba(OH)₂, Ba(OH)₂/H₂O, and NaOH which resulted in five distinct fractions designated as WE45, WE95, Ba(OH)₂, Ba(OH)₂/H₂O, and NaOH, respectively. Both water-extractable fractions consisted mainly of β-glucans but up to 20% of arabinoxylans were found in WE45 of normal and high amylose barley varieties. Analysis of the water-extractable β-glucans, indicated differences in molecular features (weight average molecular weight (M_w), β-(1→4) to β-(1→3) linkage ratios, and amounts of cellulosic regions along the β-glucan chain) between WE45 and WE95, and among β-glucans from different cultivars. The variation observed in the viscoelastic behaviour of WE45 and WE95 fractions confirmed differences in the molecular weight among water-extractable β-glucans derived from various barley cultivars.Differences in the structure of arabinoxylans from the various fractions and cultivars were also observed. Water-extractable arabinoxylans (WE45 and WE95 fractions) had significantly lower xylose to arabinose (Xylp/Araf) ratios (1.47 and 1.52) than those extracted with Ba(OH)₂ (1.70), implying a greater degree of branching in the more readily soluble fractions. Small varietal differences in molecular weight (M_w), root mean square radius (R_g), and polydispersity (M_w/M_n) among Ba(OH)₂ fractions correlated with the substitution pattern of the xylan backbone.     

Application of multi-component biopolymer layers to improve the freeze–thaw stability of oil-in-water emulsions: β-Lactoglobulin–ι-carrageenan–gelatin

This study examines the influence of interfacial composition on the freeze–thaw stability of oil-in-water emulsions. Three 5% w/w oil-in-water emulsions (5 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.0) were prepared using the layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition method that had different interfacial compositions: (i) primary emulsion (β-Lg); secondary emulsion (β-Lg–ι-carrageenan); (iii) tertiary emulsion (β-Lg–ι-carrageenan–gelatin). The primary, secondary and tertiary emulsions were subjected to from one to three freeze–thaw cycles (−20 °C for 22 h, +40 °C for 2 h) in the absence or presence of sucrose (10% w/w), and then their stability was assessed by ζ-potential, particle size, microstructure and creaming stability measurements. In the absence of sucrose, the primary and secondary emulsions were highly unstable to droplet aggregation and creaming after three freeze–thaw cycles, whereas the tertiary emulsion was stable, which was attributed to the relatively thick biopolymer layer surrounding the oil droplets. In the presence of 10% w/w sucrose, all of the emulsions were much more stable, which can be attributed to the ability of sucrose to increase the amount of non-frozen aqueous phase in the emulsions. The interfacial engineering technology used in the study could therefore lead to the creation of food emulsions with improved stability to freezing and thawing.     

Influence of chitosan concentration on the stability,microstructure and rheological properties of O/W emulsions formulated with high-oleic sunflower oil and potato protein

Relatively concentrated (40 wt%) O/W emulsions formulated with high-oleic sunflower oil as disperse phase, potato protein isolate as emulsifier and chitosan as stabiliser were prepared by rotor–stator/high-pressure valve/rotor–stator homogenization. The influence of chitosan concentration on the physical stability of emulsions was studied in (0.25–1) wt% range by visual inspection, rheological and microstructural techniques. Steady shear flow curves were sensitive to the occurrence of creaming upon the rise of zero-shear viscosity values. The effect of increasing concentration of chitosan on the zero-shear viscosity turned out to be dependent on emulsion ageing and always resulted in a stepwise increase of the critical shear rate for the onset of shear thinning flow. The critical oscillatory shear stress for the onset of non-linear viscoelastic behaviour was more sensitive than the critical shear rate to detect creaming in emulsions. Mechanical spectra are definitely demonstrated to be the most powerful tool to detect not only creaming but also oil droplet flocculation on account of changes in the plateau relaxation zone. CSLM micrographs supported the interpretation of dynamic viscoelastic results, especially when flocculation as well as coalescence took place. Cryo-SEM micrographs evidenced the formation of increasingly denser protein–polysaccharide networks with chitosan concentration and the fact that the latter governs the microstructure of the emulsion when reaches 1 wt% concentration promoting enhanced physical stability.     

Effect of frozen storage on emulsifying properties of actomyosin from mantle and fins of squid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Illex argentinus</Emphasis>)

The emulsifying properties of actomyosin (AM) of mantle and fins obtained periodically from frozen-stored squid were investigated. Oil in water (O/W) emulsions and their stability were studied by optical characterisation. Both emulsions showed that the initial backscattering (BS) decreased after 3 months of frozen storage. O/W emulsions formulated with AM of squid mantle showed certain stability during the first 20 min, and presented destabilisation during the remaining analysed time, reaching a 20% of BS, approximately. However, for emulsions formulated with AM of fins, the BS diminution was recorded between 30 and 45 min, indicating a higher stability as a function of time with respect to the mantle. The size distribution of emulsions prepared after short times of storage presented three droplet size populations. With increasing the time of frozen storage, the size distribution changed from trimodal to bimodal: the large population decreased until it disappeared and the population with medium size increased at long time of frozen storage. The emulsions formulated with AM of squid fins presented a similar behaviour than emulsions of mantle. QuickScan profiles allowed discriminating creaming and coalescence processes to both emulsions mainly at short time of frozen storage. The emulsion prepared with AM from squid fins was further flocculated than emulsion of mantle. Actomyosin from fin squid exhibits the best properties as emulsifier agents of O/W emulsions. These results suggest that a short frozen-storage period can favour the emulsifying properties of actomyosin obtained from squid mantle and fins. On the other hand, the structure of flocs would affect positively the stability of emulsions.     

Influence of tragacanth gum exudates from specie of Astragalus gossypinus on rheological and physical properties of whey protein isolate stabilised emulsions

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of Iranian tragacanth gum (Astragalus gossypinus) (0.5, 1 wt.%), Whey protein isolate (WPI) (2, 4 wt.%) and acid oleic‐phase volume fraction (5, 10% v/v) on droplet size distribution, creaming index and rheological properties of emulsions with various compositions. Rheological investigations showed that both loss and storage modules increased with gum and oil contents. However, the viscoelastic behaviour was mainly governed by the gum concentration. Delta degree (storage and loss modules ratio) increased with frequency indicated that liquid like viscose behaviour dominates over solid like elastic behaviour. The shear‐thinning behaviour of all dispersions was successfully modelled with power law and Ellis models and Ellis model was founded as the better model to describe the flow behaviour of dispersions. Droplet size distribution was measured by light scattering; microscopic observations revealed a flocculated system. Increase in gum, WPI and oil contents resulted in decrease in creaming index of emulsions with dominant effect of gum concentration.