Spherical and fibrillar ovalbumin aggregates: Tailoring oleogel-based Pickering emulsions for improved curcumin...

The structural stability, rheological properties, and delivery potential of oleogel-based Pickering emulsions (OPEs) stabilized by ovalbumin (OVA) aggregates with different morphologies were systematically investigated. The OVA aggregates with spherical and fibrillar morphologies were prepared under controlled pH and thermal conditions. It was found that OVA aggregates with fibrillar morphology (OFA) exhibited higher surface hydrophobicity (1545 ± 6.2), interfacial adsorption efficiency, and the ability to form more stable OPEs with smaller droplet sizes (44.2 ± 0.1 μm). Rheological analysis further confirmed the enhanced viscoelastic properties of OFA-stabilized OPE (F-OPE), suggesting a stable network structure formed by OFA at the oil-water interface. In vitro digestion and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies found that the curcumin loaded in OPE demonstrated higher bioavailability and longer circulation time in mice, with those in F-OPE outperforming those in OSA-stabilized OPE. Additionally, the findings of the mouse ear inflammation model suggested that the curcumin-loaded OPEs, particularly F-OPE, could reduce inflammatory factor levels and attenuate ear tissue damage, demonstrating better potential in alleviating inflammation. These findings underscore the potential of OVA aggregates with distinct morphologies in constructing stable OPEs for the effective delivery of lipid-soluble bioactive compounds, offering insights for developing innovative food-grade nutrient delivery systems.