Enhanced Physicochemical Stability of β-Carotene Emulsions Stabilized by β-Lactoglobulin−Ferulic Acid−Chitosan Ternary Conjugate

Abstract

The purpose of the present work is to fabricate emulsions with excellent stability to deliver β-carotene using a novel biomacromolecule. β-Lactoglobulin−ferulic acid−chitosan ternary conjugate (BFCC), which was synthesized based on the carbodiimide-mediated coupling reaction and laccase induction, was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR) spectra. Also, BFCC was used to stabilize β-carotene emulsions. The results indicated that the concentration of BFCC affected the physical stability of β-carotene emulsions. Compared with the emulsions stabilized by βlactoglobulin (β-LG), chitosan−ferulic acid conjugate (CFC), and β-LG−CFC mixture (BFCM), the emulsion stabilized by BFCC exhibited better stability under various environmental stresses. Moreover, the emulsion stabilized by BFCC had higher β-carotene retention during storage at 25 and 55 °C or under ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The knowledge acquired in the current research offered an effective way to develop novel biomacromolecular emulsifiers and could find potential in fabricating delivery systems for bioactive compounds with markedly enhanced physiochemical properties.

Progress in the Application of Food-Grade Emulsions

“…(3) The structuring agent mainly refers to the material unable to adsorb onto interface but rather relies on matrix formation, which enhance the 3D reticular structure in the bulk, which are advantageous to bridge, connect, and immobilization the different droplets more compactly. According to their action mechanism, the emulsifying stabilizers can be divided into traditional emulsifiers (mainly relying on good amphiphilic properties) (such as surfactant, mixed emulsifier, conjugated emulsifier, and multi-layer emulsifier) ( Figure 4 A–D) [ 17 , 20 , 21 , 24 ]; Pickering-type emulsifiers (mainly relying on the partial wettability of particles and relatively structural integrity to achieve the irreversible interface adsorption) (such as micro/nanoparticles, which can exist in various forms, e.g., fibers, spherical, microgels, nanogels fibrils, and hollow nanoparticles) ( Figure 4 E–I) [ 13 , 33 , 35 , 39 , 43 , 44 , 53 ]; and structural agents ( Figure 4 J). Moreover, irrespective of their type, emulsifying stabilizers should exhibit appropriate particle sizes, morphological characteristics, and amphiphilicity to ensure that they stabilize the internal phase and help to preserve its structural stability in the continuous phase [ 4 ].…”

High Internal Phase Emulsions Stabilized with Polyphenol-Amyloid Fibril Supramolecules for Encapsulation and Protection of Lutein

“…1,15,23,24 In addition, the binary protein−polyphenol-or protein−polysaccharide-and even the ternary protein−polyphenol−polysaccharide-based complexes were reported to stabilize HIPEs, which also proposed the concept of delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic bioactive ingredients in separated regions of the same carrier simultaneously. 25,26 Still, the issue of the content of polyphenols and polysaccharides in these systems being very limited and the stability of the complexes are of great concern.…”

“…Furthermore, proteins can act as active media molecules or materials to interact with small- and macromolecules, such as polyphenols and polysaccharides, forming stable complexes at low concentrations. , High concentrations of the donor molecules are inclined to cause precipitates. Regarding stabilization of HIPEs, protein-based biomaterials at different length scales, including protein monomers, microgels, and nanofibrils, have already shown competent performance. ,,, In addition, the binary protein–polyphenol- or protein–polysaccharide- and even the ternary protein–polyphenol–polysaccharide-based complexes were reported to stabilize HIPEs, which also proposed the concept of delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic bioactive ingredients in separated regions of the same carrier simultaneously. , Still, the issue of the content of polyphenols and polysaccharides in these systems being very limited and the stability of the complexes are of great concern.…”

Exploration of the Microstructure and Rheological Properties of Sodium Alginate-Pectin-Whey Protein Isolate Stabilized Β-Carotene Emulsions: To Improve Stability and Achieve Gastrointestinal Sustained Release

“…Emulsions have been used to encapsulate drugs [12], nutrients [13] and probiotics [14], some of which have cell-specific target effects [15,16]. For β-carotene, the emulsions encapsulating β-carotene have better solubility in water, and their chemical, physical, and storage stabilities can be increased at the same time [17,18]. In this way, they can achieve the purpose of accurate release in the intestines without being inactivated in the stomach [19,20].…”