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Updated: Oct 25, 2026

In vitro Digestion of Emulsions in a Single Droplet via Multi Subphase Exchange of Simulated Gastrointestinal Fluids
Published on: November 18, 2022
Mechanistic and comparative perspectives on ultrasonication-driven interfacial engineering in plant-based dairy
Sanusi Shamsudeen Nassarawa1, Lu Meng2, Yangdang Zhang2
1Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Control for Milk and Dairy Products of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China; Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, P.M.B.3011, Kano State, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) often struggle to achieve the colloidal stability, interfacial functionality, and sensory characteristics of bovine milk because of differences in protein structure, interfacial behavior, and matrix composition. Ultrasonication (US) has attracted increasing attention as a non-thermal processing technology capable of modifying protein conformation, droplet size, and interfacial organization through acoustic cavitation. This review critically examines the mechanistic basis of ultrasonication in PBDA emulsions, with particular emphasis on its influence on protein adsorption, interfacial film formation, droplet disruption, rheological behavior, and colloidal stability across different plant matrices. Compared with conventional thermal and pressure-based technologies, ultrasonication transfers energy through localized cavitation phenomena that may induce distinct structural responses; however, these responses are highly dependent on protein source, formulation composition, processing conditions, and reactor configuration. Evidence indicates that appropriately optimized ultrasonication can improve emulsion stability and functional performance, whereas excessive treatment may promote protein aggregation, lipid oxidation, localized heating, and deterioration of interfacial functionality. Furthermore, inconsistencies in cavitation quantification, treatment reproducibility, and industrial scale-up remain important challenges that limit direct comparison among studies. This review therefore provides a balanced mechanistic perspective on the opportunities and limitations of ultrasonication, identifies key knowledge gaps, and discusses future research priorities for improving process standardization, hybrid processing strategies, and industrial translation in plant-based dairy emulsions.
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