Influence of extraction pH and homogenization on soybean oleosome emulsion stability

Oleosomes are highly conserved organelles that store oil and can be utilized as a natural oil-in-water emulsion for food products when isolated intact. Although soybeans are a rich source of oleosomes, their potential has not been fully realized due to significant aggregation within the emulsion, which limits their applications. This study investigates the effect of homogenization as a strategy to prevent oleosome aggregation and coalescence. Our results indicate that homogenization at pressures of 10-30 MPa effectively prevents phase separation and preserves the initial particle size of oleosomes. However, at pressures of 40-50 MPa, oleosome particles are disrupted, leading to the formation of smaller particles that stabilize the emulsion against coalescence. We found that extracting oleosomes at a pH of 9 consistently produces stable emulsions, suggesting this method as a viable approach to enhance the stability of these emulsions. Furthermore, extraction at a pH of 7 followed by homogenization enhances the physical stability of the mixtures. Additionally, our findings demonstrate that performing extractions at pH 9 helps in preserving oleosome membrane-associated proteins, thereby further improving the stability and extending the storage potential of soybean oleosomes to up to 20 days.