Lipid emulsification is a technique that is being explored for improving the bioavailability of omega 3 (n-3) long chain (LC) fatty acid (FA). The nature of the emulsifiers can differently impact the lipid bioavailability via a modification of the lipolysis step. Among natural emulsifiers, gum acacia (GA), an indigestible polysaccharide, provides protective encapsulation of n-3 by forming a specifically crown-like shape around lipid drops, which could also impact the digestion step. Despite the interest in lipolysis rate, the impact of GA on lipid bioavailability has never been explored in a complete physiological context. Thus, we followed in a kinetics study the n-3 bioavailability in rat lymph, orally administered DHA-rich oil, formulated based on GA compared to the bulk phase form of the oil. The AUC values were significantly improved by +121% for total TG and by 321% for n-3 PUFA, specifically for EPA (+244%) and for DHA (+345%). Benefits of GA have also been related to the transport of FA in lymph, which was 2 h earlier (Tmax = 4 h), compared to the Tmax (6 h) obtained with the bulk phase oil. All the data showed that GA is one of the most favorable candidates of natural emulsifiers to improve n-3 bioavailability and their rate of absorption for health targets.

Oil-in-water emulsions were fabricated using delipidated and finely ground plant powders from cocoa, rapeseed press cake and lupin hulls as stabilizing agents. Three different emulsification techniques were probed: microfluidization, sonication, and turbulent mixing by a rotating device. The emulsions were characterized by their droplet size distribution and by the coverage of the interfaces by solid particles. Fine and kinetically stable emulsions (>1 month) could be obtained from the 3 plant powders. Sonication and microfluidization induced unwrapping of the large particles, giving them an expanded conformation that favored their anchoring on the oil droplets. The water-soluble fraction of the powders had minor effect on both emulsification and storage stability. At low powder content, the oil-water interfacial area displayed a linear variation with the amount of adsorbed particles, allowing a precise determination of the interfacial coverage.

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