Modulating in vitro digestion of whey protein cold-set emulsion gels via gel properties modification with gallic acid and EGCG

Gallic acid (GA) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), cooperated at varied ratios (1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1), were employed to modify gel properties of calcium induced-whey protein emulsion gel. The effects of GA/EGCG on emulsion morphology, as well as gel properties and in vitro digestive behavior of the emulsion gels were investigated. Compared with emulsions without phenolics, GA/EGCG induced slightly smaller particle size and stronger electrostatic repulsion between emulsion droplets. Moreover, GA/EGCG, notably at a ratio of 3:1, promoted electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between protein molecules and the formation of a compact and filamentous gel microstructure, resulting in a remarkable increment in the gel strength (up to 106 %). Furthermore, in vitro oral digestion, dynamic gastric digestion (using an artificial gastric digestive system, AGDS), and intestinal digestion of the emulsion gels were simulated. Particle size and protein hydrolysis results revealed that GA/EGCG was prone to weaken the physical disintegration of gels, reduce protein hydrolysis, and enhance the stability of emulsified oil droplets during dynamic gastric digestion. As a consequence, delayed release of oil droplets was observed in the gels and more free fatty acids were released in the intestinal digestion, particularly in the gel with GA/EGCG (3:1). These findings would provide novel strategies for application of phenolic compounds in developing protein gel-based delivery systems.