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Updated: May 20, 2025

Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: February 19, 2016
Kraft lignin-hydrotrope emulsifier for shelf-stable oil-in-water emulsions
Rita Gaspar1, Vinicius F N da Silva2, Deniz Z Gunes3
1Chemical and Biochemical Reactor Engineering and Safety, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, P.O. Box 2424, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
Oil-in-water (O/W) shelf-stable emulsions were successfully produced using Lignoboost Kraft lignin (LKL) and its tailored fractions, derived from aqueous hydrotropic fractionation. The process accommodates various oils (soybean, olive, almond, and mineral) and LKL concentrations (0.25-1 wt%). A 50/50 oil/water ratio with 0.5 wt% LKL yielded the narrowest droplet size distribution, exhibiting D90, D50, and D10 values of 1.75 microm, 1.19 microm, and 0.49 microm, respectively. Emulsions formulated with low-molecular-weight LKL demonstrated superior emulsification indices and stability. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and interfacial tension analyses suggest an emulsion formation mechanism based on the synergistic interaction of kraft lignin, sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS), and water. Specifically, the reduction in hydrotrope concentration promotes the formation of lignin-rich particles, which adsorb at the oil-water interface, functioning as emulsifiers.
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