Application of plant proteins as alternative emulsifiers in double emulsions: using kappa‐carrageenan for complex coacervation and microencapsulation of riboflavin

Abstract

Compared to animal proteins, this paper describes the use of plant proteins as alternative emulsifiers in double emulsion (DE) fabrication followed by complex coacervation. This is an additional way to improve stability, sustainability and lower production costs. In this study, kappa-carrageenan (k-carr) was used in complex coacervation with DE stabilised by pea protein isolate (PPI), mung bean protein isolate and chickpea protein concentrate (CPC) at pH 2 and 3 to form microcapsules (DECC). By investigating the particle sizes, microstructures and visual observations over 9 days at 4 °C, PPI/k-carr DECC and CPC/k-carr DECC at pH 2 were the most stable. Riboflavin encapsulation in PPI/k-carr DECC achieved an encapsulation efficiency of 65.46%, preserving ~20% of riboflavin across the storage period. As compared to DE systems, complex coacervation significantly improved riboflavin encapsulation stability. The results highlight the potential of PPI as an alternative emulsifier in DECC for the delivery of bioactive compounds.

Pickering emulsions stabilized with a spirulina protein–chitosan complex for astaxanthin delivery

“…8 Food-grade proteins derived from plants and microorganisms can not only replace synthetic emulsifier particles, but also replace animalbased counterparts; plant protein has lower production costs and better safety compared to animal protein and can meet the vegetarian needs of consumers due to religious or cultural practices. 9,10 Spirulina is an edible multicellular spiral cyanobacterium, which has various applications in nutraceuticals, medicines, and cosmetics. 11 Spirulina not only contains a high protein content (about 70% w/w), but also matches essential amino acid characteristics with good digestive properties.…”

“…8 Food-grade proteins derived from plants and microorganisms can not only replace synthetic emulsifier particles, but also replace animal-based counterparts; plant protein has lower production costs and better safety compared to animal protein and can meet the vegetarian needs of consumers due to religious or cultural practices. 9,10…”

Glutaraldehyde-pea protein grafted polysaccharide matrices for functioning as covalent immobilizers

“…On another occasion, when PP was utilized to construct coacervates with variable polysaccharides, the pH optima were also varied upon altering the adopted polysaccharide 3 , 23 . Complex coacervation depends on the ionic-exchange amid two biopolymers that exhibit opposite charges 24 . Thus, it holds some similarity to the PP-polysaccharide grafting process proposed herein.…”

“…Noteworthy, pH 2 (lowest inspected pH) was favored for the preparation of the Carr-PP coacervates which were procured after introducing Carr into a double emulsion stabilized via PP. Complex coacervation also depends on the ionic-exchange amid two biopolymers that exhibit opposite charges 24 .…”