Heated and unheated lupin protein-grape seed extract conjugates
stabilizing and structuring high internal phase oil-in-water emulsions
Abstract
Plant-based high internal phase oil-in-water emulsions (HIPEs) are
promising fat replacers. However, producing stable HIPES with improved
viscoelastic properties is a challenge for the food industry.
Conjugation of plant proteins, such as lupin protein isolate, with
phenolic compounds, such as proanthocyanidins from grape seed extract,
associated (or not) with moderate heat treatment arise as potential
methods to tune the surface properties of proteins and, consequently,
the droplet-droplet interactions that drive the viscoelastic properties
of HIPEs. In this way, unheated (UHC) and heated (85°C, 15 min) (HC)
lupin protein (LPI)-grape seed extract (GSE) conjugates were produced
and used to stabilize high internal phase oil-in-water emulsions.
Evaluation of stability by Turbiscan and oil loss by centrifugation over
56 days of storage did not reflect the kinetic stability of HIPEs
against process conditions. Under shearing, UHC-stabilized emulsions at
high GSE concentrations showed oil release, whereas all HC-stabilized
HIPEs released oil. However, the increase in GSE concentration and heat
treatment improved the viscosity and storage modulus (G’) of HIPEs,
possibly due to the droplet-droplet interaction originating from
hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions in UHC and HC-stabilized HIPEs,
respectively. This pivotal study confirmed that conjugation of a plant
protein with GSE and heat treatment could improve the viscoelastic
properties of high internal phase oil-in-water emulsions and produce
HIPEs with superior texture (higher G’).