Lactoferrin particles assembled via transglutaminase-induced crosslinking: Utilization in oleogel-based Pickering emulsions with improved curcumin bioaccessibility.

In this study, the optimal environmental condition for preparation of lactoferrin particles assembled via transglutaminase-induced crosslinking (TG-LF particles) was pH 8, 100 U/g of TG concentration, 50 °C and 2 h of crosslinking time. Contact angle of TG-LF particles was 79°. Then, corn oil-based oleogels were prepared with carnauba wax (CW), behenyl alcohol (BA) and CW-BA mixture at 1:4 ratio (MT). To investigate the effect of oleogels on oleogel-based Pickering emulsions, oleogel-based Pickering emulsions were prepared by a two-step method using different oleogels as the oil phase and the TG-LF particles as the emulsifier. In vitro digestion study revealed that CW oleogel-based Pickering emulsion had the highest lipolysis rate and curcumin bioaccessibility. This study demonstrated that TG-LF particle-stabilized oleogel-based Pickering emulsions had good performance in curcumin delivery, which provided a new idea for the preparation of Pickering emulsifier and enriched the knowledge in the field of oleogel-based Pickering emulsion.

Oxidized Oligosaccharides Stabilize Rehydrated Sea Cucumbers against High-Temperature Impact.

Small-molecule crosslinkers could diffuse into and stabilize protein hydrogels without damaging their appearance, but they are absent from the food industry due to the high safety and efficacy requirements for foods. Oxidized oligosaccharides are non-toxic small polyaldehydes previously found capable of crosslinking proteins by premixing. In this study, we managed to diffuse various oxidized oligosaccharides into the protein wall of rehydrated sea cucumbers, and the texture profile analysis, total soluble material assay and SEM (scanning electron microscope) images all suggested the treated sea cucumbers acquired significantly enhanced stability against high-temperature-promoted deterioration. The stabilization was positively correlated with the aldehyde content of oxidized oligosaccharides but negatively correlated with molecular size. The mechanism of stabilization was found to include both covalent and hydrogen bond crosslinking. These results have demonstrated that oxidized oligosaccharides could enter food protein hydrogel by free diffusion and stabilize the 3D network effectively and thereby has great potential in food-related industry.