HIgh internal phase Pickering emulsions stabilized by ovotransferrin–gum arabic particles

What is it about?

This study explored feasibility of preparing high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPEs) as curcumin delivery vehicles. Particles assembled from ovotransferrin (OVT) and gum arabic (GA) could stabilise HIPEs successfully, and OVT–GA particle-stabilised HIPEs with extremely high oil fraction of 0.90 were stable. Droplet size and rheological properties of OVT–GA particle-stabilised HIPEs were dependent on both particle concentration and oil fraction. Either increasing particle concentration or decreasing oil fraction resulted in a decrease of droplet size. Increase in storage modulus and viscosity of HIPEs could be achieved by increasing particle concentration or oil fraction. Food structures with controlled shape could be constructed by OVT–GA particle-stabilised HIPEs. When compared with bulk MCT oil, OVT–GA particle-stabilised HIPEs improved both extent of lipolysis and curcumin bioaccessibility significantly. These findings provided novel insight into potential application of HIPEs with extremely high oil fractions in nutraceutical delivery systems.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

stable HIPEs were solely stabilised by OVT–GA particles, and OVT–GA particle-stabilised HIPEs with extremely high oil fraction of 0.90 could be prepared. Droplet size and rheological properties of OVT–GA particle-stabilised HIPEs were dependent on both particle concentration and oil fraction. Increasing particle concentration at fixed oil fraction resulted in a decrease in droplet size, and HIPEs at higher particle concentration had higher storage modulus and viscosity. Increasing oil fraction at fixed particle concentration led to an increase in droplet size, storage modulus and viscosity of HIPEs. OVT–GA particle-stabilised HIPEs had strong gel-like structures, and they could be employed to create food structures with controlled shape. In comparison with bulk MCT oil, OVT–GA particle-stabilised HIPEs improved extent of lipolysis and curcumin bioaccessibility significantly. The knowledge acquired in this work will broaden application of HIPEs with extremely high oil fractions above 0.89 in nutraceutical delivery

Perspectives