Rheological and textural properties of emulsion-filled gel based on enzymatically hydrolyzed rice starch

The dispersibility of biphasic stabilized oil-in-water emulsions improved by the interaction between curdlan and soy protein isolate

Curdlan, a natural polysaccharide, exhibits emulsion-stabilizing and viscosity-modifying properties. However, when employed solely in the aqueous phase, curdlan's adhesive nature impedes droplet dispersion, resulting in a gel-like structure with limited applicability. This investigation formulated a biphasic stabilized oil-in-water emulsion by supplementing the oil phase with beeswax and the aqueous phase with curdlan and soy protein isolate (SPI). The addition of SPI transformed the structural characteristics from a gel-like to a mayonnaise-like structure. Maximal electrostatic repulsion was observed at an internal phase volume fraction of 30%, effectively precluding droplet aggregation owing to the absolute zeta potentials surpassing 40 mV. The emulsions displayed shear-thinning rheological behavior, with a higher storage modulus than the loss modulus, indicative of favorable elastic properties. Molecular docking revealed the predominant role of polar amino acids in facilitating hydrogen bond formation. This study provides a template for developing emulsions with biphasic stability and desirable dispersibility.

Construction of a pectin/sodium alginate composite hydrogel delivery system for improving the bioaccessibility of phycocyanin

In this study, different concentrations of sodium alginate were compounded with pectin and phycocyanin to co-prepare composite hydrogel spheres (HP-PC-SA 0.2 %, 0.6 %, 1.0 %, 1.4 %) to evaluate the potential of the composite hydrogel spheres for the application as phycocyanin delivery carriers. The hydrogel spheres' physicochemical properties and bioaccessibility were assessed through scanning electron microscopy, textural analysis, drug-carrying properties evaluation, and in vitro and in vivo controlled release analysis in the gastrointestinal environment. Results indicated that higher sodium alginate concentrations led to smaller pore sizes and denser networks on the surface of hydrogel spheres. The textural properties of hydrogel spheres improved, and their water-holding capacity increased from 93.01 % to 97.97 %. The HP-PC-SA (1.0 %) formulation achieved the highest encapsulation rate and drug loading capacity, at 96.87 % and 6.22 %, respectively. Within the gastrointestinal tract, the composite hydrogel's structure significantly enhanced and protected the phycocyanin's digestibility, achieving a bioaccessibility of up to 88.03 %. In conclusion, our findings offer new insights into improving functionality and the effective use of phycocyanin via pectin-based hydrogel spheres.

Valorization of a by-product of the yerba mate industry by assembling with cassava starch adhesive for packaging material production

Yerba mate industrial processing produces tons of powder as a by-product, this yerba mate powder (YMP) is an excellent source of biomass to develop biodegradable materials. Cassava starch modified with 1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BA) in the presence of sodium propionate as a catalyst is an eco-friendly option to obtain bioadhesives. This work aimed to develop sustainable laminates from starch-based adhesives and yerba mate powder and to study their physico-chemical, structural, and mechanical properties. Blends of bioadhesive and YMP were prepared (1:1, adhesive:YMP). Monolayer materials were obtained by thermo-compression and later assembled with adhesive to obtain bilayer laminates. Bioadhesive was able to bind the yerba mate by-product fibers, as evidenced by SEM microstructure analysis, the interactions of adhesive:substrate were elucidated by ATR-FTIR and supported by chemometrics analysis. The incorporation of the catalyst decreased the rugosity of materials and their mechanical performance was improved by the action of both acid concentration and catalyst presence, requiring higher energy for puncture. Thus, it was feasible to obtain mono and bilayer laminates as an eco-compatible alternative for the design of sustainable tray-like materials based on the industrial by-product of yerba mate.

Two-step modification of pullulanase and transglucosidase: A novel way to improve the gel strength and reduce the digestibility of rice starch

The multiscale structure, gel strength and digestibility of rice starch modified by the two-step modification of pullulanase (PUL) pretreatment and transglucosidase (TG) treatment for 6, 12, 18 and 24 h were investigated. The debranching hydrolysis of PUL produced some linear chains, which rearranged to form stable crystalline structures, reducing the digestible starch content, but weakening the gel strength. TG treatment connected some short chains to longer linear chains via α-1,6-glycosidic bonds, generating the structures of linear chain with fewer branches. The short branches promoted the interaction between starch molecules to form a more compact three-dimensional gel network structure, showing higher hardness and springiness. Moreover, these chains could form more stable crystals, reducing the digestible starch content, and the increase of branching degree inhibited digestive enzyme hydrolysis, reducing the digestion rate. The multiscale structure of starch tended to stabilize after TG treatment for 18 h, which could form a gel with stronger strength and lower digestibility than native starch gel. Therefore, the two-step modification of PUL and TG was an effective way to change the structure of rice starch to improve the gel strength and reduce the digestibility.

Tailoring 3D-printed high internal phase emulsion-rice starch gels: Role of amylose in rheology and bioactive stability

This study investigated the properties of 3D-printed high internal phase emulsion (HIPE)-rice starch gels, specially tailored for personalized nutrition by co-encapsulating resveratrol and β-carotene. We examined the influence of amylose content on various parameters, including functional groups, linear and nonlinear rheology, printed precision and microstructural stability. Additionally, we assessed the protective efficacy and release in vitro digestion of these gels on the encapsulated bioactive components. Compared to HIPE, HIPE-starch gels differently impacted by amylose content in starches. Low-level amylose weakened the network structure, attributed to amylose mainly responsible for gel formation and weak hydrogen bond interaction between the surface-active molecules and amylose due to gelatinized starch granules rupturing the protein network. Oppositely, high-level amylose led to denser, more gel-like structures with enhanced mechanical strength and reversible deformation resistance, making them suitable for 3D printing. Furthermore, 3D-printed gels with high-level amylose demonstrated well-defined structures, smooth surfaces, stable printing and less dimension deviation. They were also regarded as effective entrapping and delivery systems for resveratrol and β-carotene, protecting them against degradation from environment and damage under the erosion of digestive fluid. Overall, this research offers a straightforward strategy for creating reduced-fat HIPE gels that serve as the carrier for personalized nutraceutical foods.

Development, application and future trends of starch-based delivery systems for nutraceuticals: A review

As a natural biopolymer, starch is ideally adapted as an encapsulant material for nutraceutical delivery systems due to its unique nature of extensive sources, versatility and high biocompatibility. This review offers an outline of recent advances in the development of starch-based delivery systems. The structure and functional properties of starch in encapsulating and delivering bioactive ingredients are first introduced. Structural modification of starch improves the functionalities and extends the applications of starch in novel delivery systems. Then, various nutraceutical delivery systems are systematically summarized, which include porous starch, starch particle, amylose inclusion complex, cyclodextrin, gel, edible film and emulsion. Next, the delivery process of nutraceuticals is discussed in two parts: digestion and release. Intestinal digestion plays an important role during the whole digestion process of starch-based delivery systems. Moreover, controlled release of bioactives can be achieved by porous starch, starch-bioactive complexation and core-shell structure. Finally, the challenges of the existing starch-based delivery systems are deliberated, and the directions for future research are pointed out. Composite delivery carriers, co-delivery, intelligent delivery, delivery in real food systems, and reuse of agricultural wastes may be the research trends for starch-based delivery systems in the future.

Food Emulsion Gels from Plant-Based Ingredients: Formulation, Processing, and Potential Applications

Recent advances in the understanding of formulations and processing techniques have allowed for greater freedom in plant-based emulsion gel design to better recreate conventional animal-based foods. The roles of plant-based proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids in the formulation of emulsion gels and relevant processing techniques such as high-pressure homogenization (HPH), ultrasound (UH), and microfluidization (MF), were discussed in correlation with the effects of varying HPH, UH, and MF processing parameters on emulsion gel properties. The characterization methods for plant-based emulsion gels to quantify their rheological, thermal, and textural properties, as well as gel microstructure, were presented with a focus on how they can be applied for food purposes. Finally, the potential applications of plant-based emulsion gels, such as dairy and meat alternatives, condiments, baked goods, and functional foods, were discussed with a focus on sensory properties and consumer acceptance. This study found that the implementation of plant-based emulsion gel in food is promising to date despite persisting challenges. This review will provide valuable insights for researchers and industry professionals looking to understand and utilize plant-based food emulsion gels.

Engineering Emulsion Gels as Functional Colloids Emphasizing Food Applications: A Review

Gels are functional materials with well-defined structures (three-dimensional networks) assembled from the dispersed colloids, and capable of containing a large amount of water, oil, or air (by replacing the liquid within the gel pores), known as a hydrogel, oleogel, and aerogel, respectively. An emulsion gel is a gelled matrix filled with emulsion dispersion in which at least one phase, either continuous phase or dispersed phase forms spatial networks leading to the formation of a semisolid texture. Recently, the interest in the application of gels as functional colloids has attracted great attention in the food industry due to their tunable morphology and microstructure, promising physicochemical, mechanical, and functional properties, and superior stability, as well as controlled release, features for the encapsulated bioactive compounds. This article covers recent research progress on functional colloids (emulsion gels), including their fabrication, classification (protein-, polysaccharide-, and mixed emulsion gels), and properties specifically those related to the gel-body interactions (texture perception, digestion, and absorption), and industrial applications. The emerging applications, including encapsulation and controlled release, texture design and modification, fat replacement, and probiotics delivery are summarized. A summary of future perspectives to promote emulsion gels' use as functional colloids and delivery systems for scouting potential new applications in the food industry is also proposed. Emulsion gels are promising colloids being used to tailor breakdown behavior and sensory perception of food, as well as for the processing, transportation, and targeted release of food additives, functional ingredients, and bioactive substances with flexibility in designing structural and functional parameters.