Exploiting Complex Formation between Polysaccharides and Protein Microgels To Influence Particle Stabilization of W/W Emulsions

Protein particles were complexed with polysaccharides, and the effect on their capacity to stabilize water-in-water (W/W) emulsions was investigated. Protein microgels were formed by heating aqueous solutions of whey protein isolate. The microgels were subsequently mixed with anionic or cationic polysaccharides: κ-carrageenan (κ-car) or chitosan, respectively. The molar mass and radius of the complexes formed in dilute microgel suspensions (40 mg/L) were characterized by light scattering techniques as a function of the pH and the composition. The structure and stability of complexes formed at a higher microgel concentration (3 g/L) were studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy. It was found that small stable complexes can be formed with κ-car between pH 4.3 and pH 5.5 and with chitosan between pH 4.1 and pH 6.5, that is, both below and above the isoionic point of the microgels (pI = 5.0). Complexation with polysaccharides stabilized aqueous suspensions of microgels in the pH range where they flocculated in the absence of polysaccharides (4.3-5.5). W/W emulsions were produced by mixing dextran and poly(ethylene oxide) solutions. Microgels added to these emulsions spontaneously form a layer around the dispersed droplets, which inhibits coalescence to different extents depending on the conditions. The effect of complexation on the structure of the emulsions was investigated as a function of the pH. It is shown that stable liquid-like emulsions can be obtained in the pH range where emulsions containing only microgels flocculate.