In-depth potential mechanism of combined demulsification pretreatments (isopropanol ultrasonic pretreatments and Ca2+ flow additions) during aqueous enzymatic extractions of Camellia oils

Emulsification is the practical limitation of aqueous enzymatic extractions of Camellia oils. This study aimed to investigate the influence and demulsification mechanisms of isopropanol ultrasonic pretreatments and Ca²⁺ additions on aqueous enzymatic extractions of Camellia oils. Combining isopropanol ultrasonic pretreatments with Ca²⁺ flow additions obtained the highest free oil recovery (78.03 %) and lowest emulsion content (1.5 %). Results indicated that the superior demulsification performance originated from the decrease in emulsion stabilities and formations. First, demulsification pretreatments reduced the oil (14.69 %) and solid (13.21 %) fractions in emulsions to decrease the stability of as-formed emulsions. Meanwhile, isopropanol ultrasonic pretreatments extracted tea saponins (0.38 mg/mL) and polysaccharides (0.23 mg/mL), while Ca²⁺ combined with protein isolates (5.82 mg/mL), tea saponins (7.48 mg/mL) and polysaccharides (0.78 mg/mL) to form precipitates and reduce emulsion formation. This work could promote the practical application of aqueous enzymatic extractions of Camellia oils and enlighten the rise of advanced demulsification pretreatments.