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    David McClements

    Plant-based milk is particularly suitable for fortification with multiple nutraceuticals because it contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains that can accommodate molecules with different polarities. In this study, we fortified... more
    Plant-based milk is particularly suitable for fortification with multiple nutraceuticals because it contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains that can accommodate molecules with different polarities. In this study, we fortified soymilk with three common polyphenols (curcumin, quercetin, and resveratrol) using three pH-driven approaches. We compared the effectiveness of these three different approaches for co-encapsulating polyphenols. The gastrointestinal fate of the polyphenol-fortified soymilks was then studied by passing them through a simulated mouth, stomach, and small intestine, including the stability and bioaccessibility of polyphenols. All three pH-driven approaches were suitable for co-encapsulating multiple polyphenols at a high encapsulation efficiency, especially for the curcumin and resveratrol. The polyphenol-loaded delivery systems exhibited similar changes in particle size, charge, stability, and bioaccessibility as they passed through the mouth, stomach, an...
    Concerns exist regarding the negative environmental impact and health risks associated with ocean fishing and aquaculture, such as stock depletion, pollution, biodiversity loss, and toxin presence. To address these concerns, plant-based... more
    Concerns exist regarding the negative environmental impact and health risks associated with ocean fishing and aquaculture, such as stock depletion, pollution, biodiversity loss, and toxin presence. To address these concerns, plant-based seafood analogs are being developed. Our previous study successfully created plant-based scallop analogs using pea proteins and citrus pectin, resembling real scallops in appearance and texture. This study focuses on comparing the digestive fate of these analogs to real scallops, as it can impact their nutritional properties. Using an in vitro digestion model (INFOGEST), we simulated oral, gastric, and small intestinal conditions. The analysis revealed differences in the microstructure, physicochemical properties, and protein digestibility between the plant-based scallops and real scallops. The particle size and charge followed the following similar trends for both types of scallops: the particle size decreased from the mouth to the stomach to the sm...
    Innovative processing and packaging technologies are required to create the next generation of high-quality, healthy, safe, and sustainable food products. In this review, we overview the potential of combining edible coating materials... more
    Innovative processing and packaging technologies are required to create the next generation of high-quality, healthy, safe, and sustainable food products. In this review, we overview the potential of combining edible coating materials with non-thermal processing technologies to improve the quality, increase the safety, extend the shelf life, and reduce the waste of foods and plastics. Edible coatings are typically assembled from food-grade structuring ingredients that can provide the required mechanical and barrier properties, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and/or lipids. These materials can be fortified with functional additives to further improve the quality, safety, and shelf life of coated foods by reducing ripening, gas exchange, and decay caused by bacteria and fungi. Non-thermal processing techniques include high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed light, ultrasound, and radiation technologies. These technologies can be used to inhibit the growth of pathogenic or spoilage microo...
    The main objective of this study was to establish the relative importance of the main operating parameters impacting the formation of food-grade oil-in-water nanoemulsions by high-pressure homogenization. The goal of this unit operation... more
    The main objective of this study was to establish the relative importance of the main operating parameters impacting the formation of food-grade oil-in-water nanoemulsions by high-pressure homogenization. The goal of this unit operation was to create uniform and stable emulsified products with small mean particle diameters and narrow polydispersity indices. In this study, we examined the performance of a new commercial high-pressure valve homogenizer, which has several features that provide good control over the particle size distribution of nanoemulsions, including variable homogenization pressures (up to 45,000 psi), nozzle dimensions (0.13/0.22 mm), flow patterns (parallel/reverse), and back pressures. The impact of homogenization pressure, number of passes, flow pattern, nozzle dimensions, back pressure, oil concentration, emulsifier concentration, and emulsifier type on the particle size distribution of corn oil-in-water emulsions was systematically examined. The droplet size d...
    The food industry is trying to reformulate many of its products to replace functional ingredients that are chemically synthesized or isolated from animal sources (such as meat, fish, eggs, or milk) with ingredients derived from plant or... more
    The food industry is trying to reformulate many of its products to replace functional ingredients that are chemically synthesized or isolated from animal sources (such as meat, fish, eggs, or milk) with ingredients derived from plant or microbial sources. This effort is largely a result of the demand for foods that are better for the environment, human health, and animal welfare. Many new kinds of plant- or microbial-derived proteins are being isolated for potential utilization as functional ingredients by the food industry. A major challenge in this area is the lack of standardized methods to measure and compare the functional performance of proteins under conditions they might be used in food applications. This information is required to select the most appropriate protein for each application. In this article, we discuss the physicochemical principles of emulsifier functionality and then present a series of analytical tests that can be used to quantify the ability of proteins to ...
    Lutein is a carotenoid found in real eggs that has been reported to have beneficial effects on eye health by reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration. However, lutein is not often included in plant based (PB) egg analogs. It... more
    Lutein is a carotenoid found in real eggs that has been reported to have beneficial effects on eye health by reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration. However, lutein is not often included in plant based (PB) egg analogs. It would, therefore, be advantageous to fortify PB eggs with this health-promoting carotenoid. Moreover, lutein is a natural pigment with a bright red to yellowish color depending on its concentration and environment. It can, therefore, also be used as a plant-based pigment to mimic the desirable appearance of egg yolk. Some of the main challenges to using lutein as a nutraceutical and pigment in PB foods are its poor water-solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability. In this study, we encapsulated lutein in oil-in-water emulsions, which were then utilized to formulate whole egg analogs. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) protein isolated from a sustainable plant-based source (duckweed) was used to mimic the thermally irr...
    Hydrophilic tannic acid and hydrophobic resveratrol were successfully co-encapsulated in zein nanoparticles prepared using antisolvent precipitation and then coated with pectin by electrostatic deposition. The encapsulation efficiencies... more
    Hydrophilic tannic acid and hydrophobic resveratrol were successfully co-encapsulated in zein nanoparticles prepared using antisolvent precipitation and then coated with pectin by electrostatic deposition. The encapsulation efficiencies of the tannic acid and resveratrol were 51.5 ± 1.9% and 77.2 ± 3.2%, respectively. The co-encapsulated nanoparticles were stable against aggregation at the investigated pH range of 2.0 to 8.0 when heated at 80 °C for 2 h and when the NaCl concentration was below 50 mM. The co-encapsulated tannic acid and resveratrol exhibited stronger in vitro antioxidant activity than ascorbic acid, as determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH·) and 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylberizothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS+·) scavenging assays. The polyphenols-loaded nanoparticles significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in peroxide-treated human ...
    As a renewable resource, the market trend of plant protein has increased significantly in recent years. Compared with animal protein, plant protein production has strong sustainability factors and a lower environmental impact. Many... more
    As a renewable resource, the market trend of plant protein has increased significantly in recent years. Compared with animal protein, plant protein production has strong sustainability factors and a lower environmental impact. Many bioactive substances have poor stability, and poor absorption effects limit their application in food. Plant protein-based carriers could improve the water solubility, stability, and bioavailability of bioactive substances by different types of delivery systems. In this review, we present a detailed and concise summary of the effects and advantages of various plant protein-based carriers in the encapsulation, protection, and delivery of bioactive substances. Furthermore, the research progress of food-grade bioactive ingredient delivery systems based on plant protein preparation in recent years is summarized, and some current challenges and future research priorities are highlighted. There are some key findings and conclusions: (i) plant proteins have nume...
    Plant polyphenols have attracted considerable attention because of their key roles in preventing many diseases, including high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and cancer. A variety of functional foods have been designed and developed with... more
    Plant polyphenols have attracted considerable attention because of their key roles in preventing many diseases, including high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and cancer. A variety of functional foods have been designed and developed with plant polyphenols as the main active ingredients. Polyphenols mainly come from vegetables and fruits and can generally be divided according to their structure into flavonoids, astragalus, phenolic acids, and lignans. Polyphenols are a group of plant-derived functional food ingredients with different molecular structures and various biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. However, many polyphenolic compounds have low oral bioavailability, which limits the application of polyphenols in nutraceuticals. Fortunately, green bio-based nanocarriers are well suited for encapsulating, protecting, and delivering polyphenols, thereby improving their bioavailability. In this paper, the health benefits of plant p...
    Increasingly, consumers are moving towards a more plant-based diet. However, some consumers are avoiding common plant proteins such as soy and gluten due to their potential allergenicity. Therefore, alternative protein sources are being... more
    Increasingly, consumers are moving towards a more plant-based diet. However, some consumers are avoiding common plant proteins such as soy and gluten due to their potential allergenicity. Therefore, alternative protein sources are being explored as functional ingredients in foods, including pea, chickpea, and other legume proteins. The factors affecting the functional performance of plant proteins are outlined, including cultivars, genotypes, extraction and drying methods, protein level, and preparation methods (commercial versus laboratory). Current methods to characterize protein functionality are highlighted, including water and oil holding capacity, protein solubility, emulsifying, foaming, and gelling properties. We propose a series of analytical tests to better predict plant protein performance in foods. Representative applications are discussed to demonstrate how the functional attributes of plant proteins affect the physicochemical properties of plant-based foods. Increasing...
    This study investigated the possibility of using a phase separation, mixing, and enzymatic gelation approach to construct seafood analogs from plant protein-polysaccharide mixtures with properties mimicking real seafood. Heat-denatured... more
    This study investigated the possibility of using a phase separation, mixing, and enzymatic gelation approach to construct seafood analogs from plant protein-polysaccharide mixtures with properties mimicking real seafood. Heat-denatured pea protein (10%, w/w) and pectin (0–1%, w/w) were mixed to produce phase separated biopolymer blends. These blends were then subjected to mild shearing (350 rpm) to obtain fiber-like structures, which were then placed in molds and set by gelling the pea proteins using transglutaminase (2%, w/w). The appearance, texture, and cooking properties of the resulting scallop analogs were characterized and compared to those of real scallop. The presence of the pectin promoted the formation of a honeycomb structure in the scallop analogs, and microscopic orientation of the proteins was observed in the plane parallel to the applied shear flow. Lower pectin concentrations (0.5%, w/w) led to stronger gels with better water holding capacity than higher ones (1.0%,...
    Consumers are increasingly interested in nutritious, safe and healthy muscle food products with reduced salt and fat that benefit their well-being. Hence, food processors are constantly in search of natural bioactive ingredients that... more
    Consumers are increasingly interested in nutritious, safe and healthy muscle food products with reduced salt and fat that benefit their well-being. Hence, food processors are constantly in search of natural bioactive ingredients that offer health benefits beyond their nutritive values without affecting the quality of the products. Mushrooms are considered as next-generation healthy food components. Owing to their low content of fat, high-quality proteins, dietary fibre and the presence of nutraceuticals, they are ideally preferred in formulation of low-caloric functional foods. There is a growing trend to fortify muscle food with edible mushrooms to harness their goodness in terms of nutritive, bioactive and therapeutic values. The incorporation of mushrooms in muscle foods assumes significance, as it is favourably accepted by consumers because of its fibrous structure that mimics the texture with meat analogues offering unique taste and umami flavour. This review outlines the curre...
    The potential protective effect of nanoliposomes loaded with lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidin (LSOPC) against melanogenesis and skin damaging was investigated. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that, after encapsulation, the... more
    The potential protective effect of nanoliposomes loaded with lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidin (LSOPC) against melanogenesis and skin damaging was investigated. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that, after encapsulation, the LSOPC-nanoliposomes still possessed strong inhibitory effects against melanogenesis, reducing the activity of both monophenolase and diphenolase. Molecular docking indicated that LSOPC could generate intense interactive configuration with tyrosinase through arene–H, arene–arene, and hydrophobic interaction. An ultraviolet radiated cell-culture model (human foreskin fibroblast cell (HFF-1)) was used to determine the protective effects of the LSOPC-nanoliposomes against skin aging and damage. Results showed that LSOPC-nanoliposomes exerted the highest protective effects against both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation groups compared with non-encapsulated LSOPC and a control (vitamin C). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) ass...
    The segregative phase separation behavior of biopolymer mixtures composed entirely of polysaccharides was investigated. First, the electrical, optical, and rheological properties of alginate, modified beet pectin, and unmodified beet... more
    The segregative phase separation behavior of biopolymer mixtures composed entirely of polysaccharides was investigated. First, the electrical, optical, and rheological properties of alginate, modified beet pectin, and unmodified beet pectin solutions were characterized to determine their electrical charge, molecular weight, solubility, and flow behavior. Second, suitable conditions for inducing phase segregation in biopolymer mixtures were established by measuring biopolymer concentrations and segregation times. Third, alginate–beet pectin mixtures were blended at pH 7 to promote segregation and the partitioning of the biopolymers between the upper and lower phases was determined using UV–visible spectrophotometry, colorimetry, and calcium sensitivity measurements. The results revealed that phase separation depended on the overall biopolymer concentration and the degree of biopolymer hydrophobicity. A two-phase system could be formed when modified beet pectins (DE 68%) were used but...
    In this study, vitamin E was encapsulated in oil-in-water nanoemulsions fabricated using a dual-channel microfluidizer. A long chain triacylglycerol (corn oil) was used as a carrier oil and a biosurfactant (quillaja saponin) was used as a... more
    In this study, vitamin E was encapsulated in oil-in-water nanoemulsions fabricated using a dual-channel microfluidizer. A long chain triacylglycerol (corn oil) was used as a carrier oil and a biosurfactant (quillaja saponin) was used as a natural emulsifier. The impact of vitamin-to-carrier oil ratio on the formation, storage stability, and bioaccessibility of the nanoemulsions was determined. The lipid droplet size formed during homogenization increased with increasing vitamin content, which was attributed to a large increase in lipid phase viscosity. The storage stability of the nanoemulsions decreased as the vitamin content increased because the larger lipid droplets creamed faster. The rate and extent of lipid hydrolysis in the small intestine decreased as the vitamin content increased, probably because the vitamin molecules inhibited the ability of lipase to reach the triacylglycerols inside the lipid droplets. Vitamin bioaccessibility decreased as the vitamin level in the lipi...
    The fabrication of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions is useful for reducing storage and transportation costs, as well as for providing desirable textural, optical, stability, and release characteristics in commercial products. In this... more
    The fabrication of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions is useful for reducing storage and transportation costs, as well as for providing desirable textural, optical, stability, and release characteristics in commercial products. In this study, 50wt% oil-in-water emulsions were produced from natural emulsifiers using high-pressure dual-channel microfluidization (89.6MPa, 1 pass). The particle size and charge characteristics of emulsions stabilized using a hydrophilic biosurfactant (quillaja saponin) or mixtures of hydrophilic and hydrophobic biosurfactants (quillaja saponin+soy lecithin) were measured. The physical stability of the emulsions was determined during storage under quiescent conditions (pH7, 25°C). The mean droplet diameter and polydispersity decreased with increasing hydrophilic and hydrophobic biosurfactant concentration. Surface potential measurements indicated that interfacial composition depended on the amount of hydrophilic and hydrophobic biosurfactant present. The...
    Over the past decade, demand has increased for natural, minimally processed produce, including sprout-based products. Sanitization with 20,000 ppm of calcium hypochlorite is currently recommended for all sprouting seeds before germination... more
    Over the past decade, demand has increased for natural, minimally processed produce, including sprout-based products. Sanitization with 20,000 ppm of calcium hypochlorite is currently recommended for all sprouting seeds before germination to limit sprout-related foodborne outbreaks. A potentially promising disinfectant as an alternative to calcium hypochlorite is acidified spontaneous essential oil nanoemulsions. In this study, the efficacy of an acidified carvacrol nanoemulsion was tested against mung beans and broccoli seeds artificially contaminated with a Salmonella enterica Enteritidis cocktail (ATCC BAA-709, ATCC BAA-711, and ATCC BAA-1045). Treatments were performed by soaking inoculated seeds in acidified (50 mM acetic or levulinic acid) carvacrol nanoemulsions (4,000 or 8,000 ppm) for 30 or 60 min. After treatment, the number of surviving cells was determined via plate counts and/or the most probable number (MPN) approach. Treatment for 30 min successfully reduced Salmonell...
    Over the past few decades, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans has consistently recommended that consumers decrease consumption of saturated fatty acids due to the correlation of saturated fatty acid intake with coronary artery disease.... more
    Over the past few decades, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans has consistently recommended that consumers decrease consumption of saturated fatty acids due to the correlation of saturated fatty acid intake with coronary artery disease. This recommendation has not been easy to achieve because saturated fatty acids play an important role in the quality, shelf life, and acceptability of foods. This is because solid fats are critical to producing desirable textures (e.g., creaminess, lubrication, and melt-away properties) and are important in the structure of foods such as frozen desserts, baked goods, and confectionary products. In addition, replacement of saturated fats with unsaturated fats is limited by their susceptibility to oxidative rancidity, which decreases product shelf life, causes destruction of vitamins, and forms potentially toxic compounds. This article will discuss the fundamental chemical and physical properties in fats and how these properties affect food texture, s...
    Polymethoxyflavones (PMF) isolated from citrus peel have potent anti-cancer activity, however their utilization as functional ingredients in foods is currently limited because of their high melting point and poor water-solubility. The... more
    Polymethoxyflavones (PMF) isolated from citrus peel have potent anti-cancer activity, however their utilization as functional ingredients in foods is currently limited because of their high melting point and poor water-solubility. The influence of oil type and concentration, hydrophilic polymer addition, and simulated intestinal conditions on PMF (5-hydroxytangeretin) solubility in solutions and nanoemulsions was examined. The saturation concentration of PMF in water was relatively low (0.93 µM), but could be increased appreciably by adding certain hydrophilic polymers: polyethylene glycol (PEG) and β-cyclodextrin (CD) were ineffective at increasing solubility, but poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) greatly enhanced solubility (e.g., > 6 µM for 0.5 % polymer). PMF was more soluble in medium chain triglycerides (MCT, 6.1 mM) than long chain triglycerides (LCT, 4.2 mM). The encapsulation efficiency of PMF in oil-in-water nanoemulsions was higher when...
    There is great interest in the development of plant-based alternatives to meat products to meet the rising demand from vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. Ideally, these products should look, feel, taste, and behave like the meat... more
    There is great interest in the development of plant-based alternatives to meat products to meet the rising demand from vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. Ideally, these products should look, feel, taste, and behave like the meat products they are designed to replace. In this study, we investigated the impact of simulated freeze–thaw and cooking treatments on the properties of plant-based adipose tissues formulated using high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) or gelled emulsions (GEs). The HIPEs consisted of 75% oil, 2% soybean protein, 23% water, while the GEs consisted of 60% oil, 2% soybean protein, 2% agar and 36% of water. Low melting point (soybean oil) and high melting point (coconut oil) oils were used to create emulsions with either liquid or partially crystalline lipid phases at ambient temperature, respectively. In general, GEs were harder than HIPEs, and emulsions containing coconut oil were harder than those containing soybean oil at ambient temperatures. The thermal ...
    Currently, there is a strong enduring interest towards obtaining high-value, sustainable bio-based bioactive compounds from natural resources, as there is great demand for these compounds in various market sectors such as agriculture,... more
    Currently, there is a strong enduring interest towards obtaining high-value, sustainable bio-based bioactive compounds from natural resources, as there is great demand for these compounds in various market sectors such as agriculture, food, pharma, cosmeceuticals, and others [...]
    Microbial photoinactivation using ultraviolet (UV) or visible light can be enhanced by photosensitizers. This study assessed the efficacy of encapsulating a food-grade photosensitizer (curcumin) in surfactant micelles on its water... more
    Microbial photoinactivation using ultraviolet (UV) or visible light can be enhanced by photosensitizers. This study assessed the efficacy of encapsulating a food-grade photosensitizer (curcumin) in surfactant micelles on its water dispersibility, chemical stability, and antimicrobial activity. Stock curcumin-surfactant solutions were prepared with Surfynol 465 (S465) or Tween 80 (T80) (5 mM sodium citrate buffer). The antimicrobial activity of curcumin-loaded surfactant solutions was determined by monitoring the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Listeria innocua after 5-min irradiation with UV-A light (λ = 365 nm). The solutions mixed with the bacterial suspensions contained 1 µM curcumin and each surfactant below, near, and above their critical micelle concentrations (CMCs). The addition of surfactants at any level to the curcumin solution enhanced its dispersibility, stability, and efficacy as a photosensitizer, thereby enhancing its antimicrobial activity. Gram-positi...
    Interest in the development of smart and active biodegradable packaging materials is increasing as food manufacturers try to improve the sustainability and environmental impact of their products, while still maintaining their quality and... more
    Interest in the development of smart and active biodegradable packaging materials is increasing as food manufacturers try to improve the sustainability and environmental impact of their products, while still maintaining their quality and safety. Active packaging materials contain components that enhance their functionality, such as antimicrobials, antioxidants, light blockers, or oxygen barriers. Smart packaging materials contain sensing components that provide an indication of changes in food attributes, such as alterations in their quality, maturity, or safety. For instance, a smart sensor may give a measurable color change in response to a deterioration in food quality. This article reviews recent advances in the development of active and smart biodegradable packaging materials in the food industry. Moreover, studies on the application of these packaging materials to monitor the freshness and safety of food products are reviewed, including dairy, meat, fish, fruit and vegetable p...
    The modern food system is seeing a change in consumption patterns provoked by several drivers—including ethical, health, and environmental concerns—that are increasing the sales of meat analog foods. This change is accompanied by... more
    The modern food system is seeing a change in consumption patterns provoked by several drivers—including ethical, health, and environmental concerns—that are increasing the sales of meat analog foods. This change is accompanied by increased research and development activities in the area of plant-based meats. The aim of the present review is to describe methods that are being employed by scientists to analyze and characterize the properties of meat alternatives and to propose standardized methods that could be utilized in the future. In particular, methods to determine the proximate composition, microstructure, appearance, textural properties, water-holding properties, cooking resilience, and sensory attributes, of plant-based meat are given. The principles behind these methods are presented, their utility is critically assessed, and practical examples will be discussed. This article will help to guide further studies and to choose appropriate methods to assess raw materials, process...
    People are being encouraged to consume more plant-based foods to reduce the negative impacts of the modern food supply on human and global health. The food industry is therefore creating a new generation of plant-based products to meet... more
    People are being encouraged to consume more plant-based foods to reduce the negative impacts of the modern food supply on human and global health. The food industry is therefore creating a new generation of plant-based products to meet this demand, including meat, fish, egg, milk, cheese, and yogurt analogs. The main challenge in this area is to simulate the desirable appearance, texture, flavor, mouthfeel, nutrition, and functionality of these products using healthy, affordable, and sustainable plant-derived ingredients, such as lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The molecular and physicochemical properties of plant-derived ingredients are very different from those of animal-derived ones. It is therefore critical to understand the fundamental attributes of plant-derived ingredients and how they can be assembled into structures resembling those found in animal products. This short review provides an overview of the current status of the scientific understanding of plant-based food...
    The effect of ester gum, a widely used weighting agent, on Ostwald ripening in model beverage emulsions formulated using different food-grade surfactants was examined. A microfluidizer was used to prepare 5% orange oil-in-water emulsions... more
    The effect of ester gum, a widely used weighting agent, on Ostwald ripening in model beverage emulsions formulated using different food-grade surfactants was examined. A microfluidizer was used to prepare 5% orange oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by a series of ethylene glycol alkyl ether surfactants. Emulsions prepared using only orange oil exhibited an appreciable increase in droplet size during a 14-day storage, independent of surfactant type or concentration. Incorporation of ester gum into the oil phase of the emulsions effectively inhibited droplet growth at concentrations ≥20%. The inhibition of droplet growth by ester gum depended on the surfactant type (hydrophilic group size) and concentration. Overall, ester gum stabilized the emulsions by acting as an Ostwald ripening inhibitor, as well as a weighting agent.
    Nanoemulsions are used in the food, cosmetics, personal care and pharmaceutical industries to provide desirable optical, textural, stability, and delivery characteristics. In many industrial applications, it is desirable to formulate... more
    Nanoemulsions are used in the food, cosmetics, personal care and pharmaceutical industries to provide desirable optical, textural, stability, and delivery characteristics. In many industrial applications, it is desirable to formulate nanoemulsions using natural ingredients so as to develop label-friendly products. Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants isolated from certain microorganisms using fermentation processes. They are glycolipids that have a polar head consisting of rhamnose units and a non-polar tail consisting of a hydrocarbon chain. In this study, the interfacial characteristics of this natural surfactant at medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil-water interfaces were characterized, and its ability to form nanoemulsions was compared to that of another natural surfactant (quillaja saponins). The influence of rhamnolipid concentration, homogenization pressure, and oil type on the mean droplet diameter of emulsions produced by microfluidization was determined. Rhamnolipids were highl...
    The emulsifying properties of partially hydrolyzed rice glutelin (H-RG, 2% degree of hydrolysis) were compared to those of whey isolate protein (WPI), a commonly used protein-based emulsifier. The surface load of WPI (1% emulsifier,... more
    The emulsifying properties of partially hydrolyzed rice glutelin (H-RG, 2% degree of hydrolysis) were compared to those of whey isolate protein (WPI), a commonly used protein-based emulsifier. The surface load of WPI (1% emulsifier, d32=167.5nm) was 2.8 times lower than that of H-RG (3% emulsifier, d32=159.0nm). Emulsions containing WPI-coated lipid droplets had better stability to pH changes (2-8), NaCl addition (0-500mM) and thermal processing (30-90°C, 0 or 200mM NaCl). Nevertheless, H-RG emulsions were stable over a range of conditions: pH 6-8; NaCl≤200 (pH 7); temperatures≤90°C in the absence of salt (pH 7); and temperatures≤50°C in the presence of 200mM NaCl (pH 7). This study indicates that H-RG may be utilized as a natural emulsifier in the development of label-friendly emulsion-based food products, but that further work is needed to increase the range of applications.
    We fabricated amphiphilic gold nanoparticles (GNPs) that can self-assemble at oil–water interfaces, and applied those GNPs for in situ SERS detection of interfacial emulsifiers.

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