Enhanced Activity of Eugenol Pickering Emulsion Using Lactoferrin-Chlorogenic Acid Complex as a Green Stabilizer

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Biomaterials Science
• Colloid and Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Growing demand for sustainable and green emulsion fabrication methods.
• Need for effective natural stabilizers to improve the stability and bioactivity of poorly soluble compounds.
• Lactoferrin (LF) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) are natural bioactive compounds with potential stabilizing properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel lactoferrin-chlorogenic acid (LF-CGA) complex for creating eugenol (EG) Pickering emulsions (ELC/PE).
• To investigate the surface activity and binding mechanism of the LF-CGA complex.
• To evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of the resulting ELC/PE.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of LF-CGA complex and subsequent preparation of eugenol Pickering emulsion.
• Measurement of contact angle to assess interfacial stability.
• Analysis of LF-CGA interaction using spectroscopic methods (e.g., fluorescence quenching).
• Evaluation of antioxidant activity using DPPH, O2-, and ABTS+ radical scavenging assays.
• Assessment of antibacterial efficacy against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.
• Determination of anti-inflammatory potential through ear swelling suppression assay.

Main Results:

• The LF-CGA complex exhibited excellent surface activity with a contact angle of 81.9°, indicating enhanced oil-water interface stability.
• The interaction between LF and CGA was confirmed to be driven by static quenching and hydrogen bonding.
• The ELC/PE demonstrated high radical scavenging rates: 86.3% for DPPH, 75.3% for O2-, and 83.4% for ABTS+.
• ELC/PE showed significant antibacterial activity with inhibition rates of 99.0% for Candida albicans and 99.5% for Staphylococcus aureus.
• The ELC/PE significantly suppressed ear swelling by 81.8%, indicating potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Conclusions:

• The LF-CGA complex effectively stabilizes eugenol Pickering emulsions.
• The developed ELC/PE exhibits enhanced antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities.
• This novel LF-CGA complex holds promise for improving the application of poorly soluble bioactive compounds in various industries.