Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in promoting brain development, decreasing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, and reducing inflammation. However, PUFAs are inherently unstable and susceptible to oxidative deterioration due to two or more double bonds in their structure. Delivery systems have been developed to provide effective encapsulation and protection for PUFAs, and finally fulfill their health benefits. Emulsion-based encapsulation is one of the most promising techniques for the delivery of PUFAs. The emulsion composition and structure, as well as the storage conditions are regarded as key factors to influence the stability of emulsions. To maximize the resistance of PUFAs in emulsions against oxidation, emulsion structure design has been particularly highlighted, and different methods for tailoring emulsion structure have been developed. The current work is focused on the careful design of emulsion structure to improve the oxidative stability of PUFAs. Different types of emulsions, including conventional emulsions, multilayer emulsions, gelled emulsions, and Pickering emulsions are introduced, and their protective effect for PUFAs are discussed. The major role of interfacial structure in emulsions is emphasized. The effects of emulsifiers and involved modification methods on the interfacial structure are presented to further improve the stability of PUFAs during storage.
Prolamins are a group of safe food additives that are biocompatible, biodegradable, and sustainable. Zein, gliadin, kafirin, and hordein are common prolamins that have been extensively studied, particularly as these form colloidal particles because of their amphiphilic properties. Prolamin‐based binary/ternary complexes, which have stable physicochemical properties and superior functionality, are formed by combining prolamins with polysaccharides, polyphenols, water‐soluble proteins, and surfactants. Although the combination of prolamins with other components has received attention, the relationship between the structural design of prolamin‐based complexes and their functionalities remains uncertain. This review discusses the production methods of prolamin‐based complexes, the factors influencing their structural characteristics, and their applications in the food industry. Further studies are needed to elucidate the structure–function relationships between prolamins and other biopolymers, as well as the toxicological effects of these complexes in food.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.