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Food Emulsions/Gels: Preparation, Properties and Applications
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Food Emulsions/Gels: Preparation, Properties and Applications

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Physics and (Bio)Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2024) | Viewed by 6649

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jinwei Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
Interests: food emulsion/gel technology; lipid oxidation and control; emulsion stability mechanism; food hydrocolloids; food application

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emulsion/gel systems have attracted much attention in the field of food owing to their positive contribution to the physicochemical, sensory and biological qualities of food products. Generally, emulsions/gels are prepared from two immiscible liquids. This is achieved by dispersing one fluid, in the form of droplets, in a continuous phase of the second fluid; the droplets are then surrounded by interfacially active components, including small molecular surfactants, amphiphilic polymers or solid particles, in order to maintain the stability of the emulsions. Green ingredients, such as nanocellulose and other biopolymers, are increasingly applied in modern, clean-label health and sustainability goals. The properties of food emulsions/gels highly depend on their preparation methods, matrix materials (such as protein, polysaccharide and mixed emulsions/gels), interfacial properties, initial emulsion properties, etc. Proper characterization of the interfacial properties, dispersion behavior and stability mechanisms of food emulsions/gels is the key to achieving commercial products such as bioactive component delivery vehicles, 3D printing inks, solid fat substitutes and food and beverage products.

Prof. Dr. Jinwei Li
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • food emulsion/gel technology
  • emulsifying agents
  • interfacial characterization
  • three-dimensional structure
  • dispersion behavior
  • stability mechanism
  • bioactive substances
  • food application

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 5395 KiB  
Article
Plant-Based Oil-in-Water Food Emulsions: Exploring the Influence of Different Formulations on Their Physicochemical Properties
by Carolina Quezada, Matías Urra, Camila Mella, Rommy N. Zúñiga and Elizabeth Troncoso
Foods 2024, 13(4), 513; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13040513 - 07 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1104
Abstract
The global focus on incorporating natural ingredients into the diet for health improvement encompasses ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from plant sources, such as flaxseed oil. ω-3 PUFAs are susceptible to oxidation, but oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions can serve to protect PUFAs from [...] Read more.
The global focus on incorporating natural ingredients into the diet for health improvement encompasses ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from plant sources, such as flaxseed oil. ω-3 PUFAs are susceptible to oxidation, but oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions can serve to protect PUFAs from this phenomenon. This study aimed to create O/W emulsions using flaxseed oil and either soy lecithin or Quillaja saponins, thickened with modified starch, while assessing their physical properties (oil droplet size, ζ-potential, and rheology) and physical stability. Emulsions with different oil concentrations (25% and 30% w/w) and oil-to-surfactant ratio (5:1 and 10:1) were fabricated using high-pressure homogenization (800 bar, five cycles). Moreover, emulsions were thickened with modified starch and their rheological properties were measured. The physical stability of all emulsions was assessed over a 7-day storage period using the TSI (Turbiscan Stability Index). Saponin-stabilized emulsions exhibited smaller droplet diameters (0.11–0.19 µm) compared to lecithin (0.40–1.30 µm), and an increase in surfactant concentration led to a reduction in droplet diameter. Both surfactants generated droplets with a high negative charge (−63 to −72 mV), but lecithin-stabilized emulsions showed greater negative charge, resulting in more intense electrostatic repulsion. Saponin-stabilized emulsions showed higher apparent viscosity (3.9–11.6 mPa·s) when compared to lecithin-stabilized ones (1.19–4.36 mPa·s). The addition of starch significantly increased the apparent viscosity of saponin-stabilized emulsions, rising from 11.6 mPa s to 2117 mPa s. Emulsions stabilized by saponin exhibited higher stability than those stabilized by lecithin. This study confirms that plant-based ingredients, particularly saponins and lecithin, effectively produce stable O/W emulsions with flaxseed oil, offering opportunities for creating natural ingredient-based food emulsions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Emulsions/Gels: Preparation, Properties and Applications)
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13 pages, 1621 KiB  
Article
The Synergistic Effect of Compound Sugar with Different Glycemic Indices Combined with Creatine on Exercise-Related Fatigue in Mice
by Hui Liao, Song Zhu, Yue Li and Dejian Huang
Foods 2024, 13(3), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13030489 - 03 Feb 2024
Viewed by 750
Abstract
In this study, a compound sugar (CS) with different glycemic index sugars was formulated via hydrolysis characteristics and postprandial glycemic response, and the impact of CS and creatine emulsion on exercise-related fatigue in mice was investigated. Thirty-five C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into [...] Read more.
In this study, a compound sugar (CS) with different glycemic index sugars was formulated via hydrolysis characteristics and postprandial glycemic response, and the impact of CS and creatine emulsion on exercise-related fatigue in mice was investigated. Thirty-five C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups to supply different emulsions for 4 weeks: initial emulsion (Con), glucose emulsion (62 mg/10 g MW glucose; Glu), CS emulsion (62 mg/10 g MW compound sugar; CS), creatine emulsion (6 mg/10 g MW creatine; Cr), and CS and creatine emulsion (62 mg/10 g MW compound sugar, 6 mg/10 g MW creatine, CS-Cr). Then, the exhaustion time of weight-bearing swimming and forelimb grip strength were measured to evaluate the exercise capacity of mice, and some fatigue-related biochemical indexes of blood were determined. The results demonstrated that the ingestion of CS significantly reduced the peak of postprandial blood glucose levels and prolonged the energy supply of mice compared to ingesting an equal amount of glucose. Mouse exhaustion time was 1.22-fold longer in the CS group than in the glucose group. Additionally, the supplementation of CS increased the liver glycogen content and total antioxidant capacity of mice. Moreover, the combined supplementation of CS and creatine increased relative forelimb grip strength and decreased blood creatine kinase activity. The findings suggested that the intake of CS could enhance exercise capacity, and the combined supplementation of CS and creatine has a synergistic effect in improving performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Emulsions/Gels: Preparation, Properties and Applications)
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22 pages, 6965 KiB  
Article
Impact of κ-Carrageenan on the Cold-Set Pea Protein Isolate Emulsion-Filled Gels: Mechanical Property, Microstructure, and In Vitro Digestive Behavior
by Xiaojiao Li, Xing Chen and Hao Cheng
Foods 2024, 13(3), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13030483 - 02 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1351
Abstract
More understanding of the relationship among the microstructure, mechanical property, and digestive behavior is essential for the application of emulsion gels in the food industry. In this study, heat-denatured pea protein isolate particles and κ-carrageenan were used to fabricate cold-set emulsion gels induced [...] Read more.
More understanding of the relationship among the microstructure, mechanical property, and digestive behavior is essential for the application of emulsion gels in the food industry. In this study, heat-denatured pea protein isolate particles and κ-carrageenan were used to fabricate cold-set emulsion gels induced by CaCl2, and the effect of κ-carrageenan concentration on the gel formation mechanism, microstructure, texture, and digestive properties was investigated. Microstructure analysis obtained by confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that pea protein/κ-carrageenan coupled gel networks formed at the polysaccharide concentration ranged from 0.25% to 0.75%, while the higher κ-carrageenan concentration resulted in the formation of continuous and homogenous κ-carrageenan gel networks comprised of protein enriched microdomains. The hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds played an important role in maintaining the gel structure. The water holding capacity and gel hardness of pea protein emulsion gels increased by 37% and 75 fold, respectively, through increasing κ-carrageenan concentration up to 1.5%. Moreover, in vitro digestion experiments based on the INFOGEST guidelines suggested that the presence of 0.25% κ-carrageenan could promote the digestion of lipids, but the increased κ-carrageenan concentration could delay the lipid and protein hydrolysis under gastrointestinal conditions. These results may provide theoretical guidance for the development of innovative pea protein isolate-based emulsion gel formulations with diverse textures and digestive properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Emulsions/Gels: Preparation, Properties and Applications)
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15 pages, 17346 KiB  
Article
Sucrose Esters and Beeswax Synergize to Improve the Stability and Viscoelasticity of Water-in-Oil Emulsions
by Mingjun Shu, Yuling Zhou, Yuanfa Liu, Liuping Fan and Jinwei Li
Foods 2023, 12(18), 3387; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12183387 - 09 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1257
Abstract
W/O emulsions are commonly used to prepare stable low-fat products, but their poor stability limits widespread applications. In this study, sucrose ester (SE) and beeswax were utilized to prepare an oil dispersion system in rapeseed oil, which was used as the external oil [...] Read more.
W/O emulsions are commonly used to prepare stable low-fat products, but their poor stability limits widespread applications. In this study, sucrose ester (SE) and beeswax were utilized to prepare an oil dispersion system in rapeseed oil, which was used as the external oil phase to further synergistically construct the W/O emulsion systems. The results show that spherical and fine crystals are formed under the synergistic effect of SE and BW (1.5 SE:0.5 BW). In this state, a dense interfacial crystal layer was easily formed, preventing droplet aggregation, leading to droplet size reduction (1–2 μm) and tight packing, improving viscoelasticity and resistance to deformation, and increasing the recovery rate (52.26%). The long-term stability of W/O emulsions containing up to 60 wt% water was found to be more than 30 days. The increase in the aqueous phase led to droplet aggregation, which increased the viscosity (from 400 Pa·s to 2500 Pa·s), improved the structural strength of the emulsion, and increased the width of the linear viscoelastic region (from 1% strain to 5% strain). These findings provide some technical support for the further development of stable low-fat products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Emulsions/Gels: Preparation, Properties and Applications)
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16 pages, 4421 KiB  
Article
Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by β-Cyclodextrin and Cinnamaldehyde/β-Cyclodextrin Composite
by Caihua Liu, Yachao Tian, Zihan Ma and Linyi Zhou
Foods 2023, 12(12), 2366; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12122366 - 14 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1656
Abstract
A Pickering emulsion was prepared using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and a cinnamaldehyde (CA)/β-CD composite as emulsifiers and corn oil, camellia oil, lard oil, and fish oil as oil phases. It was confirmed that Pickering emulsions prepared with β-CD and CA/β-CD had good storage stability. [...] Read more.
A Pickering emulsion was prepared using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and a cinnamaldehyde (CA)/β-CD composite as emulsifiers and corn oil, camellia oil, lard oil, and fish oil as oil phases. It was confirmed that Pickering emulsions prepared with β-CD and CA/β-CD had good storage stability. The rheological experiments showed that all emulsions had G′ values higher than G″, thus confirming their gel properties. The results of temperature scanning rheology experiments revealed that the Pickering emulsion prepared with β-CD and CA/β-CD composites had high stability, in the range of 20–65 °C. The chewing properties of Pickering emulsions prepared by β-CD and corn oil, camellia oil, lard, and herring oil were 8.02 ± 0.24 N, 7.94 ± 0.16 N, 36.41 ± 1.25 N, and 5.17 ± 0.13 N, respectively. The chewing properties of Pickering emulsions made with the CA/β-CD composite and corn oil, camellia oil, lard, and herring oil were 2.51 ± 0.05 N, 2.56 ± 0.05 N, 22.67 ± 1.70 N, 3.83 ± 0.29 N, respectively. The texture properties confirmed that the CA/β-CD-composite-stabilized-emulsion had superior palatability. After 28 days at 50 °C, malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected in the emulsion. Compared with the β-CD and CA + β-CD emulsion, the CA/β-CD composite emulsion had the lowest content of MDA (182.23 ± 8.93 nmol/kg). The in vitro digestion results showed that the free fatty acid (FFA) release rates of the CA/β-CD composite emulsion (87.49 ± 3.40%) were higher than those of the β-CD emulsion (74.32 ± 2.11%). This strategy provides ideas for expanding the application range of emulsifier particles and developing food-grade Pickering emulsions with antioxidant capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Emulsions/Gels: Preparation, Properties and Applications)
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