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Updated: Jul 10, 2025
Fabrication of Size-Controlled and Emulsion-Free Chitosan-Genipin Microgels for Tissue Engineering Applications
Published on: April 13, 2022
Modulating the properties of myofibrillar proteins-stabilized high internal phase emulsions using chitosan for
Feiyu Zhang1, Peng Wang1, Mingyuan Huang1
1State Key Laboratory of Meat Quality Control and Cultured Meat Development, National Center of Meat Quality and Safety Control, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Meat Production and Processing, Quality and Safety Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Abstract:
The 3D printability of myofibrillar proteins (MP)-based high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) is a concern. This study investigated the influence of chitosan (CS) concentrations (0-1.5 wt%) on the physicochemical properties, microstructure, rheological properties, and stability of MP-based HIPEs. Results showed that the interaction between MP and CS efficiently modulated the formation of HIPEs by modifying interfacial tension and network structure. The addition of CS (≤ 0.9 wt%, especially at 0.6 wt%) acted as a spatial barrier, filling the network between droplets, which triggered electrostatic repulsion between CS and MP particles, enhancing MP's interfacial adsorption capacity. Consequently, droplet sizes decreased, emulsion stability increased, and HIPEs became more stable during freeze-thaw cycles, centrifugation, and heat treatment. The rheological analysis further demonstrated that the low energy storage modulus (G', 330.7 Pa) of MP-based HIPEs exhibited sagging and deformation during the self-supporting phase. However, adding CS (0.6 wt%) significantly increased the G' (1034 Pa) of MP-based HIPEs. Conversely, increasing viscosity and spatial resistance attributed to CS (> 0.9 wt%) noticeably caused larger droplet sizes, thereby diminishing the printability of MP-based HIPEs. These findings provide a promising strategy for developing high-performance and consumer-satisfaction 3D printing inks using MP-stabilized HIPEs.
