Factors that influence the coalescence stability of protein-stabilised emulsions,estimated from the proportion of oil extracted by hexane

The coalescence stability of protein-stabilised emulsions was estimated by measuring the degree to which the oil content could be extracted by hexane. The hexane extraction method is an empirical one but it correlates well with both an absolute method, such as increase in droplet size, and with another ‘accelerating’ technique, oil separation by centrifugation. Moreover, the hexane extraction method is capable of measuring coalescence stability over a wide range of instability, whereas the centrifugation method only provides information about the final stages of emulsion instability. Among the proteins studied, caseinates were generally the best stabilisers, especially at pH 6. Soya proteins gave rise to emulsions of minimal stability, whereas whey protein concentrate and blood plasma resulted in emulsions of medium stability. The coalescence instability of the protein-stabilised emulsions, viewed overall, was significantly and positively related to the droplet size, the degree of flocculation and the amount of protein in the membrane. High values of these emulsion parameters were due mainly to frequent recoalescence and bridging during emulsification. To minimise these effects emulsifying conditions creating high protein: surface area ratios should be used, as well as proteins that quickly change their conformation at an interface and have low aggregation numbers in solution.