Food Biophysics

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) isolated from the external sheaths of palm peach (Bactris gasipaes) were evaluated as improvers of several characteristics of cassava starch films. The cellulosic material of 10 to 30 nm diameter was produced by mechanic defibrillation. All films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, water vapor permeability (WVP), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, physical characterizations (solubility, humidity, water activity, thickness, tensile strength and elongation) and optical analysis. The incorporation of CNF as reinforcement caused changes in all properties analyzed, thus differing from the control film (without cellulosic reinforcement). Physical reinforcement was the main effect observed in films containing CNF, according to the mechanical resistance and permeability analyses. Furthermore, such analyses confirmed the increase in tensile strength in 306% and reduction in 26% of WVP for films containing 5.37% nanofibrils, when compared to the control. Higher opacity was verified as more CNF was added to the filmogenic matrix, as a result of the dispersion of light by nano-sized fibrils. No variations in the thermal profiles occurred in films containing CNF or not. Spectroscopic data revealed a possible crosslinking formation between starch and CNF, which can influence positively the tensile strength of such films.

Texture of gummy gels prepared with gelatin and acid modified corn starch (AMCS) was quantified by instrumental techniques and the gel microstructure was examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gelatin:AMCS gummy gels were divided in two groups: Group 1, containing different gelatin (0–10 wt%) and AMCS (0–10 wt%) concentrations, totalizing 10 wt% solids; and Group 2, which was prepared with a fixed gelatin concentration (8 wt%) and varied AMCS concentrations (0–5 wt%). All gummy gels were formulated with maltitol syrup and xylitol, shaped in cylindrical molds and submitted to instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA) tests and colorimetric analysis. Group 1 pure starch gels (10 % AMCS) presented the highest stringiness and adhesiveness. In samples of Group 2 the introduction of AMCS dramatically changed the structure of the gelatin gels. Thermodynamic incompatibility was evident even at the lowest AMCS concentration. Moreover, increasing AMCS concentrations lead to an increase in the number of hollow zones including starch granules inside them. In addition, introduction of AMCS in the samples of Group 2 caused an increase in hardness and opacity and a decrease in stringiness and adhesiveness. On the other hand, results from TPA tests showed that the addition of AMCS to gelatin gels in suitable proportions can be a feasible alternative in the formulation of gummy confections.

The enzymatic cross-linking of adsorbed biopolymer nanoparticles formed between whey protein isolate (WPI) and sugar beet pectin using the complex coacervation method was investigated. A sequential electrostatic depositioning process was used to prepare emulsions containing oil droplets stabilized by WPI – nanoparticle – membranes. Firstly, a finely dispersed primary emulsion (10 % w/w miglyol oil, 1 % w/w WPI, 10 mM acetate buffer at pH 4) was produced using a high-pressure homogenizer. Secondly, a series of biopolymer particles were formed by mixing WPI (0.5 % w/w) and pectin (0.25 % w/w) solutions with subsequent heating above the thermal denaturation temperature (85 °C, 20 min) to prepare dispersions containing particles in the submicron range. Thirdly, nanoparticle-covered emulsions were formed by diluting the primary emulsion into coacervate solutions (0–0.675 % w/w) to coat the droplets. Oil droplets of stable emulsions with different interfacial membrane compositions were subjected to enzymatic cross-linking. We used cross-linked multilayered emulsions as a comparison. The pH stability of primary emulsions, biopolymer complexes and nanoparticle-coated base emulsions, as well as multilayered emulsions, was determined before and after enzyme addition. Freeze-thaw stability (−9 °C for 22 h, 25 °C for 2 h) of nanoparticle-coated emulsions was not affected by laccase. Results indicated that cross-linking occurred exclusively in the multilamellar layers and not between adsorbed biopolymer nanoparticles. Results suggest that the accessibility of distinct structures may play a key role for biopolymer-cross-linking enzymes.

Ultrasonication (20 kHz, 19.9 W/10 mL sample) was used to form O/W emulsions stabilised by quinoa protein isolate (QPI) particles at 3 wt%. Effects of pH (3, 5, 7, 9) and oil volume fractions (20%, 40%, and 60%) on rheological properties and microstructural characteristics of emulsions were investigated. All emulsions show viscoelastic behaviours and form a network structure comprising aggregated oil droplets and QPI particles. Emulsions stabilised by QPI at pH 5 showed largest droplet sizes and lowest gel strength due to extensive aggregation of proteins around the isoelectric point (pI ~ 4.5). The gel strength (G´(1 Hz)) were enhanced when the oil volume fraction increased and reached ~ 1100–1350 Pa at 60% oil volume fraction at different pH. This could be attributed to a tighter packing of oil droplets at 60% oil. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that interdroplets bridging and voids filling of QPI particles between oil droplets are critical in formation of aggregated emulsions network. Emulsions stabilised by QPI at pH 7 and 9 possessed thinner interfacial layers compared to those at pH 3 and 5. Finally, this study shows a potential of using ultrasonication to prepare gel-like emulsions stabilised by QPI, broadening applications of quinoa proteins in making dairy substitutes with semi-solid textural characteristics.

Many sectors of the food industry are interested in replacing synthetic or animal-based ingredients with plant-based alternatives to create products that are more natural, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. In this study, the ability of several plant protein concentrates to act as natural emulsifiers in oil-in-water emulsions fortified with omega-3 fatty acids was investigated. The impact of emulsifier type on the formation and stability of the emulsions was determined by measuring changes in droplet characteristics (size and charge) under different homogenization, pH, salt, and temperature conditions. Pea (Pisum sativum), lentil (Lens culinaris) and faba bean (Vicia faba) protein concentrates all proved to be effective emulsifiers for forming and stabilizing 10 wt% algae oil-in-water emulsions produced by high-pressure homogenization. The droplet size decreased with increasing emulsifier concentration, and relatively small oil droplets (d < 0.3 μm) could be formed at higher emulsifier levels (5% protein). Lentil protein-coated droplets were the most stable to environmental stresses such as pH, ionic strength and temperature changes. These results have important implications for the production of functional foods and beverages from natural plant-based ingredients.

This study aimed to describe the effects of ohmic heat treatment (OHT) of milk on the formation and properties of acid milk gels. The influence of voltage gradient (25, 40, 55 V/cm), holding time (2, 16, 30 min), and final temperature (45, 65, 75, 85 °C) on rheological properties and particle size distribution was measured during the gelation process. Texture properties and syneresis of the samples were evaluated at the end of the gelation process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the acid milk gels were also taken at pH 4.6(i.e., pI or Isoelectric point of casein). Results indicated that oscillatory time sweep tests were more accurate than particle size measurements in detecting gelation onset. Complex modulus values of the final gel showed that OHT of the milk at 25 V/cm and holding at 85 °C for 16 min gave rise to a 21% higher structural strength compared to when using the conventional heat treatment (CHT) where temperature was 85 °C and holding time and come up time were 30 and 20 min respectively. In other words, by using the OHT milk, the same gel strength as that of CHT 85 °C sample was obtained by spending 185 min instead of 328 min incubation time (i.e., 40% less time). Higher voltage gradient lowered the final gel strength when temperature and holding time kept constant at 85 °C and 16 min respectively. Results indicated that the gel firmness enhanced and the amount of syneresis decreased when CHT was replaced by OHT in the manufacturing process. SEM revealed that the protein matrices of ohmic heating samples appeared to be more compact and denser with smaller pore size than observed in the conventional gel. Results indicated that OHT of milk successfully improves the quality of acid milk gels and obviate the need for increasing dry matter concentration or using additives.

Much work has been done to understand the self-assembly properties of collagens from mammals. However, there is little information about fish-sourced collagens that are advantageous in certain applications. In this study, the self-assembly dynamics of tropocollagen (with telopeptides) and atelocollagen (without telopeptides) extracted from snakehead (Channa argus) skins was studied with turbidity, dynamic rheology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and quantitative percentage of self-assembly. Turbidity results indicate that the self-assembly of fish-sourced collagens followed the nucleation-growth two-step model, while rheological results unveiled two growth stages in the development of collagen gels. Based on SEM, telopeptides promoted the formation of thicker fibrils and increased the density of network that provided the structural basis of increased turbidity and strengthened storage and loss moduli. The SEM data were supported by the increased percentage of self-assembled collagens by telopeptides. Findings from this work may facilitate the understanding of structures and functions of products containing fish-sourced collagens and their application.

In the present work, inclusion complexes of α-terpineol (Terp) and β-cyclodextrin (BCD) were prepared by the coprecipitation method. Phase solubility studies were performed and thermodynamic parameters involved in the complex formation were calculated. The solubility of Terp increased linearly as the concentration of BCD was increased, confirming the 1:1 stoichiometry of the complex. The stability constants decreased along with increasing temperature. The negative value of the enthalpy and of the Gibbs free energy demonstrated that the process is exothermic and spontaneous. Since complexation gives more ordered systems, the negative value obtained for the entropy change evidenced the encapsulation of Terp. Terp was completely encapsulated in BCD at the preparation conditions and studied molar ratios, as confirmed in the freeze-dried samples by differential scanning calorimeter. The presence of Terp greatly modified the BCD water sorption curves, and the amount of adsorbed water was lower for the complexes. The limited water solubility of Terp could be overcome by the formation of BCD inclusion complexes, and the complexes were stable at different storage conditions (relative humidities 11–97% and 25 °C). The obtained phase solubility data are useful for food or pharmaceutical products formulation involving cyclodextrins and stability predictions.

The effect of dissolution of carbon dioxide (CO2) in lactose solution on the particle size, morphology, yield and densities of crystallized alpha-lactose monohydrate (α-LM) was investigated. Dry ice was added into a 50% w/w aqueous lactose solution (relative supersaturation SR = 4.55) at 0, 500 and 1000 ppm in batch mode and closed system at 40°C. Agitation and sonication then were applied to the carbonated aqueous lactose solution for creating CO2 bubbles to assist the nucleation process. For ultrasound (US) treatment, the aqueous lactose solution was sonicated at 50% amplitude for 1 min. All samples (CO2 + agitation and CO2 + US + agitation) were then agitated for 3 h at 25°C upon crystallisation process. Regardless of mechanical treatment, prior addition of CO2 at higher concentration tended to induce formation of smaller crystals with triangular and trapezoidal-shaped morphologies whilst non-carbonated lactose favoured generation of bigger tomahawk-shaped crystals. A remarkable increase in α-LM yield was found in 1000 ppm carbonated sample prior to sonication as against non-carbonated counterpart. The crystal size d(0.5) was also found significantly lower (~32 μm) for the carbonated sample as compared to those of non-carbonated sample (~56 μm). The bulk and true densities of α-LM powder obtained were independent on CO2 concentration added but addition of 1000 ppm CO2 affected the packed densities of α-LM. Carbonation of lactose solution can be considered as an additional tool to manipulate crystal size, shape and yield of α-LM that may suitable for pharmaceutical and food applications.