Benjamin Zeeb

Cross-Linking of Interfacial Layers Affects the Salt and Temperature Stability of Multilayered Emulsions Consisting of Fish Gelatin and Sugar Beet Pectin

This study assessed the stabilizing effect of enzymatic cross-linking on double-coated emulsions (beet pectin-fish gelatin). The beet pectin layer was cross-linked via ferulic acid groups using laccase (an enzyme that is known to catalyze the oxidation of phenolic groups). Fish gelatin-coated oil droplets (primary emulsion) were mixed at pH 3.5 to promote electrostatic deposition of the beet pectin molecules onto the surfaces of the oil droplets (secondary emulsion). Laccase was then added to promote cross-linking of the adsorbed beet pectin layer. Cross-linked pectin-coated oil droplets had similar or significantly better stability (p < 0.05) than oil droplets of primary or secondary emulsions to NaCl addition (0-500 mM), CaCl(2) addition (0-250 mM), and thermal processing (30-90 °C for 30 min). Freeze-thaw stability and creaming behavior of enzyme-treated, secondary emulsions after two cycles (-8 °C for 22 h; 25 °C for 2 h) were significantly improved (p < 0.05). These results may have important implications for food manufacturers that are in need of emulsions with improved physical stability, for example, emulsions used in frozen foods for sauces or dips.

Influence of interfacial properties on Ostwald ripening in crosslinked multilayered oil-in-water emulsions

The influence of interfacial crosslinking, layer thickness and layer density on the kinetics of Ostwald ripening in multilayered emulsions at different temperatures was investigated. Growth rates of droplets were measured by monitoring changes in the droplet size distributions of 0.5% (w/w) n-octane, n-decane, and n-dodecane oil-in-water emulsions using static light scattering. Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory was used to calculate Ostwald ripening rates. A sequential two step process, based on electrostatic deposition of sugar beet pectin onto fish gelatin or whey protein isolate (WPI) interfacial membranes, was used to manipulate the interfacial properties of the oil droplets. Laccase was added to the fish gelatin-beet pectin emulsions to promote crosslinking of adsorbed pectin molecules via ferulic acid groups, whereas heat was induced to promote crosslinking of WPI and helix coil transitions of fish gelatin. Ripening rates of single-layered, double-layered and crosslinked emulsions increased as the chain length of the n-alkanes decreased. Emulsions containing crosslinked fish gelatin-beet pectin coated droplets had lower droplet growth rates (3.1±0.3×10(-26) m(3)/s) than fish gelatin-stabilized droplets (7.3±0.2×10(-26) m(3)/s), which was attributed to the formation of a protective network. Results suggest that physical or enzymatic biopolymer-crosslinking of interfaces may reduce the molecular transport of alkanes between the droplets in the continuous phase.

Investigations into aggregate formation with oppositely charged oil-in-water emulsions at different pH values.

The pH-dependent formation and stability of food-grade heteroaggregates from oppositely charged oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions was investigated. After screening suitable emulsifiers, 10% (w/w) oil in-water emulsions (d32≈1 μm) were prepared at pH 3-7 using a positively charged emulsifier (Na-lauroyl-l-arginine ethyl ester; LAE) and four negatively charged ones (citric esters of mono- and diglycerides, soy lecithin, sugar beet pectin, and Quillaja saponin). The oppositely charged emulsions were then combined at constant pH values at a volume flow rate ratio of 1:1. Emulsions and heteroaggregates were characterized by their surface charge, particle size distribution and microstructure using dynamic and static light scattering as well as confocal laser scanning microscopy. The emulsifier type was found to greatly influence the type of heteroaggregates formed, as well as the pH value, specifically in combined LAE/Quillaja saponin emulsions. Larger aggregates particularly were formed with increasing pH values (2.71±1.21 to 46.53±4.30 μm from pH 3 to 7, respectively), while LAE/pectin aggregates appeared not to be affected by pH over the full pH range investigated (3.80±2.89 to 3.94±2.78 μm from pH 3 to 7, respectively). Our study thus provides valuable first insights into the mechanism of the formation of food-grade heteroaggregates for later use in food systems.

Electrostatic modulation and enzymatic cross-linking of interfacial layers impacts gastrointestinal fate of multilayer emulsions

In this study, membrane properties were modulated using layer-by-layer electrostatic depositioning in combination with salt and/or enzyme treatment to control the gastrointestinal fate of emulsified oils. Lipid droplets coated by a single-layer of biopolymers (gelatin) were prepared by high pressure homogenization. Lipid droplets coated by a double-layer of biopolymers (gelatin-pectin) were prepared by electrostatically depositing sugar beet pectin on the gelatin-coated droplets. Laccase was added to the double-layer emulsions to covalently crosslink the adsorbed pectin molecules, whereas sodium chloride was added to modulate interfacial properties through electrostatic screening effects. Non-cross-linked and cross-linked double-layer emulsions (with and without salt) were then passed through a simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) that included mouth, gastric and intestinal phases. Free fatty acid release profiles suggested that the stability of the emulsified droplets within the GIT played a more important role in determining the rate and extent of lipid digestion than the initial interfacial layer properties.

Impact of alcohols on the formation and stability of protein-stabilized nanoemulsions

Nanoemulsions are increasingly being used for encapsulation, protection, and delivery of bioactive lipids, however, their formation from natural emulsifiers is still challenging. We investigated the impact of alcohol on the formation and stability of protein-stabilized oil-in-water nanoemulsions prepared by high-pressure homogenization. The influence of different alcohols (ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol) at various concentrations (0-25% w/w) on the formation and stability of emulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate, whey protein isolate, and fish gelatin was investigated. The mean particle diameter decreased with increasing alcohol concentrations from 0 to 10%w/w, but extensive droplet aggregation occurred at higher levels. This phenomenon was attributed to enhanced protein-protein interactions between the adsorbed emulsifier molecules in the presence of alcohol leading to droplet flocculation. The smallest droplets (d<100nm) were obtained when 10%w/w 1-butanol was added to sodium caseinate-stabilized nanoemulsions, but relatively small droplets (d<150nm) could also be obtained in the presence of a food-grade alcohol (ethanol). This study demonstrated that alcohol addition might be a useful tool for producing protein-stabilized nanoemulsions suitable for use as delivery systems of lipophilic bioactive agents.

Reprint of: Impact of alcohols on the formation and stability of protein-stabilized nanoemulsions.

Nanoemulsions are increasingly being used for encapsulation, protection, and delivery of bioactive lipids, however, their formation from natural emulsifiers is still challenging. We investigated the impact of alcohol on the formation and stability of protein-stabilized oil-in-water nanoemulsions prepared by high-pressure homogenization. The influence of different alcohols (ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol) at various concentrations (0-25% w/w) on the formation and stability of emulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate, whey protein isolate, and fish gelatin was investigated. The mean particle diameter decreased with increasing alcohol concentrations from 0 to 10%w/w, but extensive droplet aggregation occurred at higher levels. This phenomenon was attributed to enhanced protein-protein interactions between the adsorbed emulsifier molecules in the presence of alcohol leading to droplet flocculation. The smallest droplets (d<100 nm) were obtained when 10%w/w 1-butanol was added to sodium caseinate-stabilized nanoemulsions, but relatively small droplets (d<150 nm) could also be obtained in the presence of a food-grade alcohol (ethanol). This study demonstrated that alcohol addition might be a useful tool for producing protein-stabilized nanoemulsions suitable for use as delivery systems of lipophilic bioactive agents.

Enzyme-Based Strategies for Structuring Foods for Improved Functionality

Enzyme technologies can be used to create food dispersions with novel functional attributes using structural design principles. Enzymes that utilize food-grade proteins and/or polysaccharides as substrates have gained recent interest among food scientists. The utilization of enzymes for structuring foods is an ecologically and economically viable alternative to the utilization of chemical cross-linking and depolymerization agents. This review highlights recent progress in the use of enzymes to modify food structures, particularly the interfacial and/or bulk properties of food dispersions with special emphasis on commercially available enzymes. Cross-linking enzymes such as transglutaminase and laccase promote the formation of intra- and intermolecular bonds between biopolymers to improve stability and functionality, whereas various degrading enzymes such as proteases alter the native conformation of proteins, leading to self-assembly of hierarchically ordered colloids. Results of this bio-inspired approach show that rational use of structure-affecting enzymes may enable food manufacturers to produce food dispersions with improved physical, functional, textural, and optical properties.

Formation of concentrated biopolymer particles composed of oppositely charged WPI and pectin for food applications

ABSTRACT The application of protein–polysaccharide complexes as potential structure modifier, fat replacer, or emulsifying agents in food dispersions has gained increasing interest amongst scientists and manufacturers. Based on associative complexation, low biopolymer concentrations are typically used to generate particulated complexes. The current study, however, presents results that focused on the formation of concentrated biopolymer dispersions. A simple heat treatment was applied to tailor the overall water content of the biopolymer dispersion. For that purpose, whey protein isolate (WPI) and citrus pectin (DE 71%) solutions were mixed at different pH and biopolymer ratios to induce complex coacervation and subsequently heat-treated (ϑ = 90–95°C). Phase separation behavior, microstructural, rheological, and electrical properties of the complexes were investigated by surface charge, turbidity, particle size, rheometry, and light microscopy measurements. Results revealed that complexation was induced under acidic conditions, whereas high WPI:citrus pectin ratios led to positive surface charges, promoting the formation of large and dense particles. In addition, concentrated complex dispersions with water contents ≥80% could be manufactured and easily re-dispersed, whereas complexes maintained their particulate structures. Results are of importance for future studies where we intend to incorporate concentrated biopolymer particles as structuring agents in complex food matrices. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Isothermal titration calorimetric analysis on solubilization of an octane oil-in-water emulsion in surfactant micelles and surfactant-anionic polymer complexes.

Polymers may alter the ability of surfactant micelles to solubilize hydrophobic molecules depending on surfactant-polymer interactions. In this study, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to investigate the solubilization thermodynamics of an octane oil-in-water emulsion in anionic sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), nonionic polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant micelles and respective complexes formed by these micelles and an anionic polymer (carboxymethyl cellulose). Results indicated that the oil solubilization in single ionic micelles was endothermic, while in nonionic micelles or mixed ionic/nonionic micelles it was exothermic. The addition of carboxymethyl cellulose did not influence the solubilization behavior in these micelles, but affected the solubilization capacities of these systems. The solubilization capacity of cationic micelles or mixed cationic/nonionic micelles was enhanced while that of nonionic or anionic micelles was decreased. Based on the phase separation model, a molecular pathway mechanism driven by enthalpy was proposed for octane solubilization in surfactant micelles and surfactant-polymer complexes.

Solubilization of octane in electrostatically-formed surfactant–polymer complexes

Polymers can be used to modulate the stability and functionality of surfactant micelles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the solubilization of an octane oil-in-water emulsion in mixtures of an anionic polymer (carboxymethyl cellulose) and anionic sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), nonionic polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant micelles using dynamic light scattering, microelectrophoresis and turbidity measurements. The results showed that the addition of anionic carboxymethyl cellulose accelerated octane solubilization in cationic CTAB and CTAB-Tween 80 micelles, but did not affect the solubilization behaviors of micelles that were nonionic and anionic. The surfactant-polymer interactions were also studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to characterize different physiochemical interaction regions depending on surfactant concentration in surfactant-polymer systems. Upon octane solubilization in CTAB-carboxymethyl cellulose mixtures, shape transitions of polymer-micelle complexes may have taken place that altered light scattering behavior. Based on these results, we suggest a mechanism for oil solubilization in electrostatically-formed surfactant-polymer complexes.