Exploring the relationship between the interfacial properties and emulsion properties of ultrasound-assisted cross-linked myofibrillar protein

Abstract

This work aimed to illustrate the correlation between the dynamic adsorption process of ultrasound-assisted cross-linked MP on the oil-water interface and the stability of the fabricated emulsion. The interfacial pressure, adsorption kinetic coefficient, dynamic rheological properties of crosslinked MP (E-MP5), sonication before MP crosslinking (E-UMP5), and sonication after MP crosslinking (E-MPU5) and the corresponding emulsion properties, adsorbed proteins, microrheological properties, and multiple light scattering were determined. The results showed that the emulsion properties were positively correlated with the interfacial properties of MP. Ultrasound treatment could more effectively improve the interfacial properties and emulsion stability of the MP molecules than the Native treatment. Among the ultrasonic groups, the E-MPU5 group exhibited the highest interfacial pressure (15.81 mN/m), diffusion rate (Kdiff), penetration rate (KP), rearrangement rate (KR), dilatational modulus, elastic modulus, and E-π slope (2.65). Correspondingly, based on the change of Kdiff, KP, and KR, E-MPU5-fabricated emulsion had the lowest droplet size (1.56 μm), the maximum adsorbed protein content (93.08%), and the highest absolute zeta potential value. Additionally, the decreased viscosity, elastic index, macroscopic viscosity index, and turbiscan stability index in the E-MPU5-fabricated emulsion indicated the formation of a more stable emulsion. Therefore, this work suggests that sonication after crosslinking could greatly improve the interfacial adsorption behavior of MP, and the improvement of interfacial properties is conducive to the enhancement of emulsion stability.