Whey protein isolate nanofibrils formed with phosphoric acid: Formation, structural characteristics, and emulsion stability

In this study, phosphoric acid was used to replace hydrochloric acid which is widely reported in the production of whey protein isolate fibrils (WPF). The pH, temperature, and protein concentration for the phosphoric acid-induced fibrillation were optimized (4% w/v, pH 2.5, 90 °C). Under this condition, the mean particle size and molecular weight decreased significantly while the ζ-potential increased slightly, it suggested that the fibrillation was accompanied by hydrolysis. WPF was already formed via intermolecular interactions at 6 h, which exhibited a semiflexible and unbranched filament of about 10 nm in diameter. A few single-filament flexible fibrils (about 5 nm in diameter) formed at 24 h. Thioflavin T analysis supported by Intrinsic fluorescence showed that the use of phosphoric acid accelerated the fibrillation. The ANS fluorescence and Second-derivative UV–vis spectra indicated the increase in surface hydrophobicity, peaking after 12 h of heating. Compared with the hydrochloric acid induced, WPF induced by phosphoric acid exhibited a shorter lag phase and maintained a more stable dispersion state with a nanoscale particle size. The great interfacial properties and proper aspect ratio (length/diameter) provided the contribution that WPF effectively absorbed at the oil-water interface. Moreover, the emulsion stability of the WPF improved with increasing salt concentration. The phosphoric acid-induced WPF had the best emulsion stability at pH 5.5 which was further enhanced by proper heating. • The whey protein isolate fibrils (WPF) were formed via phosphoric acid. • The optimal preparation of WPF was at pH 2.5, 4%, 90 °C. • The surface hydrophobicity of WPF-12 (WPF formed at 12 h) reached the highest. • The WPF-12 exhibited excellent emulsion stability at pH 5.5.