Preparation and properties of functional emulsion based on bio-macromolecules self-assembled colloidal particles

Bio-macromolecules alginic acid (ALG), lysozyme (Lys) and calcium ion can self-assemble to prepare ALG/Ca2+/Lys colloidal particles by electrostatic interaction. The size and morphology of the colloidal particles were characterized by BI-90PIus Zeta potentiometer and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the formed colloidal particles have a spherical structure with a particle size of 480 nm. The colloidal particles can be reassembled at the oil (containing fat-soluble vitamin D-3)-water interface to stabilize oil-in-water functional Pickering emulsions. The effects of pH values and salt concentrations on the properties and emulsifying properties of colloidal particles were investigated in detail. The sustained release properties of the emulsion to Ca2+ and vitamin D-3 functional factors were studied. The results show that the emulsion has better sustained release performance for both Ca2+ and vitamin D-3. Using zinc ion (Zn2+) instead of Ca2+ and bio-macromolecule hyaluronic acid (HA) instead of ALG, the colloidal particles ALG/Zn2+/Lys and HA/Zn2+/Lys were prepared. The Pickering emulsion prepared with colloidal particles still has good sustained release performance for functional factors. The prepared functional emulsion has potential applications in the fields of food, medicine and cosmetics.