Comparison of emulsification efficiency of protein-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions using jet, high pressure and colloid mill homogenization

Abstract

The aim of this work is to compare three emulsifying processes a rotor stator device (Silverson), a microfluidizer (Microfluidics) and the high pressure jet, a new patented emulsifying process. The performance of each process was analyzed in terms of droplets diameter reduction, emulsion stability, protein adsorption at the interface and energy input in the process. The droplets obtained with the two high pressure devices were smaller than those from rotor–stator process, in line with the difference in energy density input. The high pressure jet, for low protein content, promotes the disruption of droplets into smaller ones (less than 90 nm) more than that of the microfluidizer. When protein content is increased up to 2% w/w, the microfluidizer gives smaller average size and less polydisperse emulsion than the jet. The ways in which protein and energy input influences the final granulometry are discussed.