Pickering emulsions stabilized by in situ grown biologically active alkyl gallate microneedles

Abstract

We report on the stabilization of water-in-oil Pickering emulsions through the in situ growth of surface and biologically active alkyl gallate microneedles. Octyl gallate needles are shown to form a rigid interlocked network upon adsorption at the oil–water interface, generating emulsions that are stable for several months. Emulsions containing food-grade oils with potentially high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were successfully prepared using solely octyl gallate microneedles as the surface active species. The safety and efficacy of alkyl gallates as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents combined with their ability to form strong interwoven needle-like structures at the oil–water interface makes this a promising approach for the preparation of functional, ultrastable Pickering emulsions for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.