Plant-based high internal phase emulsions stabilized by dual protein nanostructures with heat and freeze-thaw
Tao Wang1, Fangsi Li1, Hao Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology-Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
Abstract:
The formation of coherent, three-dimensional (3D) networks by particles either at the interface or in the bulk phase is vital for the stability of emulsions. In this study, nanoparticles of walnut proteins (WPs) were associated by unfolded fibrillar rice proteins (RPs), forming dual protein nanostructures (DPNs) characteristic of coherent 3D networks. The DPNs emulsified walnut oil and formed high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), which were stable against 2-month storage and 30-min heating at 95 °C. Furthermore, the interfacial structures can be further reinforced by sodium chloride (50 mM and above), and became invulnerable to repeated freeze-thaw treatments. Based on the above results, a plant-based walnut sauce was developed with superior freeze-thaw stability to three arbitrary commercial mayonnaises. The HIPEs with tunable rheological properties in response to salt concentration and excellent stabilities against long-term storage, heating, and freeze-thaw may be potential surrogates of futuristic plant-based textural and sensory materials in foods.
