Protein-stabilized Pickering emulsion interacting with inulin, xanthan gum and chitosan: Rheological behavior and 3D printing

Physical stability and lipid digestion of protein-stabilized Pickering emulsions interacting with polysaccharides have been emphasized in our previous investigation. However, the polysaccharide coating and micelle protection of protein-based stable Pickering emulsion and its three-dimensional (3D) printing properties have not been thoroughly studied. The rheological properties and 3D printing properties of gelatin-catechin nanoparticles (GCNPs) stabilized Pickering emulsion were studied by using different charged polysaccharides, such as inulin (neutral), Xanthan gum (XG, anion), and chitosan (cation) as stable materials. The microstructure analysis of polysaccharide-stabilized Pickering emulsion (PSPE) showed that the order of pore wall thickness was GC-Chitosan > GC-XG > GC-Inulin. The network structure of GC-Chitosan was thickened, allowing the 3D printed product to have a good surface texture and adequate support. Rheological analysis showed that PSPEs in extrusion (shear thinning), self-support (rigid structure), and recovery (the outstanding thixotropy) of the three stages exhibited good potential of 3D printing. 3D printing results also showed that GC-Chitosan had the best printing performance. Therefore, polysaccharide-stabilized Pickering emulsions can provide a basis for the development of 3D printed food products.