Enhanced stability and antibacterial efficacy of edible oleogels-in-water high internal phase emulsions prepared from soybean lipophilic protein

Recently, convenience-driven consumers have increasingly embraced prepared aquatic foods, facilitating a significant shift within the food industry. However, this change has presented a challenge for maintaining the quality of aquatic products in prepared food items since aquatic products are highly susceptible to microbial contamination during processing or storage. Herein, smart oleogels-in-water high internal phase emulsions (GHIPEs) stabilized solely by soybean lipophilic protein (LP) were prepared via oil phase gelation induced by glycerol monolaurate (GML). The purpose of this system is to act as an effective carrier and facilitate the precise release of thyme essential oils to extend the shelf life of food products. The gelation of the oil phase has significantly enhanced the stability of GHIPEs when compared to traditional HIPEs. When the GML reached 2%, the GHIPEs retained up to 87.18% ± 4.23 of thyme essential oil after 14 d. Moreover, the highest antioxidant potential of GHIPEs (with 2% GML) was confirmed through DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays. Furthermore, the GHIPEs can release thyme essential oil in response to microbial growth, demonstrating their "smart sensing and targeted release" ability. Ultimately, the application of the GHIPEs in the preservation of Cololabis saira significantly reduced the total colony count, pH, TVB-N, and TBARS values (P < 0.05). Consequently, a ready-to-eat Cololabis saira product with an extended shelf life of 7 d at 4 °C was successfully realized, indicating the effectiveness of GHIPEs in preserving seafood freshness. These findings offer novel approaches to maintaining the freshness of prepared aquatic foods.