Utilization of polysaccharide-based high internal phase emulsion for nutraceutical encapsulation and 3D printing: Reinforcement of curcumin stability and bioaccessibility

To integrate the delivery performance of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) for hydrophobic functional ingredients and the personalization and customization benefits of 3D printing, this study introduced curcumin (CUR) into polysaccharide-based HIPEs for 3D printing and characterized their structures and properties. The results suggested that the microstructure, rheological properties, and centrifugal and thermal stability of the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-stabilized HIPEs loaded with CUR could be tailored by changing the pH and introducing chitosan (CS). This might be because the modification of β-CD by CS via physical interactions reinforced the capability of β-CD to stabilize CUR droplets. Meanwhile, the introduction of CS enhanced the viscosity of the HIPEs. Subsequently, CUR encapsulation and 3D printing of polysaccharide-based HIPEs were explored simultaneously for the first time. β-CD/CS-stabilized HIPEs showed better storage stability (25 °C for 20 days) and delivery performance for CUR than β-CD-based HIPEs. Finally, selected HIPEs prepared with β-CD/CS at pH 5 exhibited satisfactory 3D printability and color change effects while possessing outstanding CUR stability and bioaccessibility. The printed butterfly model presented a clear texture and regular shape, and the color change effect triggered by subsequent heating was obvious and interesting. These findings contribute to the synergistic development of HIPEs and 3D printing.