Coconut protein amyloid-like fibrils-based Pickering emulsions of diverse phases: Fabrication, characterization and...

Low, medium, and high-internal-phase Pickering emulsions (PEs) were developed using coconut protein amyloid fibrils (CAF) formed through acid-heat induction. We examined the structural and interfacial properties of CAF and found that they form flexible amyloid fibrils, which facilitate the formation of diverse PEs. PEs with different internal-phases were successfully fabricated using CAF, and their multifunctional performance was characterized through various measurements. PEs with an oil phase volume fraction φ = 0.8 exhibited larger droplet size and higher zeta-potential, increased viscosity, and enhanced resistance to deformation without defined yield stress point. PEs with φ = 0.2 demonstrated greater physical stability and improved bioavailability. All PEs showed excellent long-term storage stability (>10 days). Confocal microscopy revealed a blanket-like microstructure and uniform particle distribution. PEs demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency (98.27 %) and a slow digestion rate (1.21 %). This study presents a promising strategy for designing multi-phase PEs stabilized by plant protein-derived amyloid-like fibrils.