Improved emulsion stability and modified nutrient release by structuring O/W emulsions using konjac glucomannan

Functional konjac glucomannan (KGM) was used to structure the water phase of O/W emulsions containing a lipophilic bioactive compound (beta-carotene). KGM greatly increased the viscosity of the water phase and thus the viscosity of final emulsions. Results of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed that there is no significant non-covalent interaction between KGM and whey proteins in the water phase. KGM significantly improved the creaming and pH stability of whey-protein-stabilized emulsions (p < 0.05), and significantly decreased the oiling-off of emulsions during freeze-thaw test. Emulsions with or without KGM all had good thermal stability at 80 degrees C. Microscopy observations indicated obvious aggregation of free proteins and oil droplets in gastric phase and an enzymatic-induced break-down of droplets, mainly in the intestinal phase of the simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) digestion. Emulsions with KGM-structured water phase showed a lower final release rate of encapsulated b-carotene than emulsion without KGM (p < 0.05), and the release rate decreased with the increasing KGM content. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the influence of the water phase on the release of encapsulated compounds from emulsions, and make it possible to achieve controlled release of encapsulated compounds, and/or to deliver multiple health-beneficial nutrients at once by structuring emulsion-based carriers with functional natural biopolymers. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.