Emulsion Type Research Articles

O/D emulsions stabilized by quaternary ammonium gemini surfactants together with alumina nanoparticles

AbstractOil‐in‐dispersion (O/D) emulsions are the focus in many fields due to their new microstructures and new functions. Herein, O/D emulsions were successfully prepared using series of cationic gemini surfactants 12‐s‐12 (s = 2, 3, and 6) and alumina nanoparticles. The microstructures and type of emulsions were identified using optical microscopy, zeta potential and contact angle methods. Gemini surfactants with two head groups carry more charges than that of conventional surfactants when adsorbed at the oil–water interface. The O/D emulsions can be stabilized at lower surfactant concentrations compared with the conventional single‐headed surfactants. In the presence of 0.1 wt% alumina nanoparticles, gemini surfactants 12‐s‐12 (s = 2, 3, and 6) can stabilize emulsions at the concentration of 3 × 10−4 mM (1.84 × 10−5 wt%), 6 × 10−4 mM (3.76 × 10−5 wt%) and 1 × 10−3 mM (6.68 × 10−5 wt%), respectively. Addition of excessive organic salts such as sodium salicylate and sodium p‐methylbenzenesulfonate shielded the head group charges of gemini surfactants, leading to gemini surfactants to behave as nonionic surfactants Adsorption of surfactants at the alumina nanoparticles occurred, resulting in the transformation from the O/D emulsions to Pickering emulsions. This work shows the advantages of preparing O/D emulsions using gemini surfactants and also provides a new methods of emulsion type transformations by adding excessive oppositely charged organic salts.

Phase Diagram of Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Cellulose Nanocrystals.

Cellulose is a promising renewable and biocompatible biopolymer for stabilizing Pickering emulsions (PEs). In the present study, PEs were produced by low-frequency ultrasounds with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and caprylic/capric triglycerides. Phase diagrams allowed to understand mechanisms of formation and long-term stabilization of PEs. Emulsion type, continuous phase viscosity, and yield of oil incorporation were studied after PEs formation. Droplet size, oil release, and stability were measured weekly up to 56 days of storage. Results showed that oil mass fraction above 70% w/w led to unstable W/O PEs. Lower oil mass fraction formed O/W PEs of stability depending on CNC content and oil mass fraction. Droplet size stability increased with CNCs/oil ratio. A very low CNCs/oil ratio led to phase separation and oil release. High CNC content stabilized oil droplets surface, increased aqueous phase viscosity, and prevented creaming. Highly stable PEs were produced for CNC content above 3% (w/w) and oil mass fraction below 50% (w/w). Mechanisms for PEs formation and stabilization were proposed for various CNC contents and oil mass fractions.

A smart material: Multi-stimulus-responsive composite microspheres prepared via RAFT polymerization as recyclable pickering emulsifiers and their application in stabilizing real oil phases

The development of smart composites to sustainably separate and recover oil from oily water had attracted much attention. In this study, tri-block (P(LMA-b-NIPAM-b-AA)) polymer brushes were controllably “grown on” the Fe3O4 surface by three-step surface-initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (SI-RAFT) polymerization to prepare Fe3O4-P(LMA-b-NIPAM-b-AA) (MNPLNA) magnetic nanospheres with interfacial activity. The MNPLNA nanospheres were characterized to demonstrate the triple response of pH, temperature and magnetism. Meanwhile, the comparison experiments showed that the MNPLNA nanospheres with tri-block structure had excellent interfacial activity. Then, the O/W type of Pickering emulsion was prepared by using MNPLNA nanospheres as the particle emulsifier. The size variation pattern of Pickering emulsion was comprehensively investigated by adjusting the concentration of nanospheres, oil-water ratio, electrolyte concentration and polarity of oil phase. Pickering emulsions were controllably separated by the action of an external magnetic field, and could be reversibly switched at least 10 cycles between emulsified and broken states under the trigger of pH and temperature. In addition, MNPLNA nanospheres exhibited excellent emulsification properties for stabilizing variety of real oil phases (e.g., canola oil, kerosene, diesel and crude oil). Based on this, MNPLNA nanospheres were applied as smart multifunctional materials in simulated kerosene-containing wastewater separation. MNPLNA nanospheres could be used to recover kerosene with high recovery rate after 10 separation cycles under the stepwise action of pH, temperature and magnetic field.

Properties and microstructures of golden thread fish myofibrillar proteins gel filled with diacylglycerol emulsion: Effects of emulsifier type and dose

In this study, diacylglycerol (DAG) emulsions stabilized by different concentrations of sodium caseinate (SCE) or Tween 80 (TWE) were prepared and characterized, and the effects of prepared emulsions as fillers on the gel properties, microstructures and molecular interactions of myofibrillar proteins (MP) gel were investigated. The particle size of SCE decreased gradually with the amount of sodium caseinate, and the minimum value was obtained with 2.5% sodium caseinate. The filling of SCE enhanced the whiteness, water-holding capacity (WHC), gel strength, and texture (P < 0.05), and facilitated the formation of a more compact gel network with sufficient emulsion droplets to be fixed in it. This positive effect was based on various interactions between SCE droplets and MP, and showed sodium caseinate dosage dependence within a certain range. In addition, TWE obtained the most effective particle size at 1.0% Tween 80 dosage, which had no adverse effect on gel properties. However, when Tween 80 concentration exceeded 1.5%, MP gel's water retention, strength, and texture properties showed a certain downward trend, accompanied by the weakening of gel network and the loss of more oil droplets. These results support that DAG emulsion stabilized by moderate sodium caseinate is a potential active filler, which can not only enhance the content of unsaturated fatty acids in gels, but also improve the gel properties.

Optimized hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles stabilized pickering emulsion for enhanced oil recovery in complex porous media of reservoir

With an extensive application of flooding technologies in oil recovery, traditional emulsion flooding has seen many limits due to its poor stability and easy demulsification. Pursuing a new robust emulsion plays a fundamental role in developing highly effective emulsion flooding technology. In this work, a novel Pickering emulsion with special magnetic nanoparticles Fe3O4@PDA@Si was designed and prepared. To disclose the flooding mechanism from magnetic nanoparticles, the physico-chemical characterization of Fe3O4@PDA@Si was systematically examined. Meanwhile, the flooding property of the constructed Pickering emulsion was evaluated on the basis of certain downhole conditions. The results showed that the synthesis of Fe3O4@PDA@Si nanoparticles was found to have a hydrophobic core-shell structure with a diameter of 30 nm. Pickering emulsions based on Fe3O4@PDA@Si nanoparticles at an oil-to-water ratio of 5:5, 50°C, the water separation rate was only 6% and the droplet diameter of the emulsion was approximately 15 μm in the ultra-depth-of-field microscope image. This demonstrates the excellent stability of Pickering emulsions and improves the problem of easy demulsification. We further discussed the oil displacement mechanism and enhanced oil recovery effect of this type of emulsion. The microscopic flooding experiment demonstrated that profile control of the Pickering emulsion played a more important role in enhanced recovery than emulsification denudation, with the emulsion system increasing oil recovery by 10.18% in the micro model. Core flooding experiments have established that the incremental oil recovery of the Pickering emulsion increases with decreasing core permeability, from 12.36% to 17.39% as permeability drops from 834.86 to 219.34 × 10−3 μm2. This new Pickering emulsion flooding system stabilized by Fe3O4@PDA@Si nanoparticles offers an option for enhanced oil recovery (EOR).

Emulsifier crystal formation and its role in periodic deformation-relaxation of emulsion droplets upon cooling

When emulsion droplets stabilized by monoglyceride stearate are cooled down to a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the emulsifier, they deform, followed by relaxation back to a spherical shape. This deformation-relaxation process repeats itself multiple times. We monitored the crystallization of monoglyceride stearate at oil-water interfaces with (multiphoton excitation) microscopy and tensiometry, and evaluated the effects of emulsifier type, emulsifier concentration, and cooling rate on this phenomenon. The results prove that the phenomenon is attributable to the formation of brittle crystalline interfacial layers by the emulsifier, and stress build-up in these layers due to shrinkage of the oil phase upon cooling. Because of the high stiffness of the interfacial crystal layers, shrinkage of the oil phase leads to wrinkling of the interface, resulting in shape deformations. This continues until the interfacial structure ruptures.

The effect of asphalt emulsion type on the characteristics of cold asphalt emulsion mixtures

The need for road infrastructure continues to increase affecting the increase of hot asphalt mixtures. Hot asphalt requires a lot of energy to use because it goes through a heating process, so Cold Emulsion Asphalt Mixture (CAEM) is widely studied to be an eco-friendly alternative to hot asphalt mixtures. This study used a type of mixture IV Asphalt Emulsion Mixture with 4 types of emulsified asphalt, which are Cationic Slow Setting-1 hard (CSS-1h), Cationic Medium Setting-2 (CMS-2), Cationic Rapid Setting-2 (CRS- 2), and Cationic Quick Setting-1 hard (CQS-1h). The test was carried out using the Marshall Test method and the parameters value of each type of emulsified asphalt was calculated. The test results are compared with their characteristics to determine the most suitable type of emulsified asphalt for heavy traffic in Indonesia. The results showed that CRS-2 emulsified asphalt was not recommended because it had low stability and did not meet the parameter requirements. The use of CQS-1h is recommended because at an early age it can produce high stability value and meet all requirements.

Synthesis and Characterization of PCL-Idebenone Nanoparticles for Potential Nose-to-Brain Delivery.

The present work is focused on the preparation of an optimal model of poly-ε-caprolactone nanoparticles as potential carriers for nasal administration of idebenone. A solvent/evaporation technique was used for nanoparticle preparation. Poly-ε-caprolactone with different molecular weights (14,000 and 80,000 g/mol) was used. Polysorbate 20 and Poloxamer 407, alone and in combination, were used as emulsifiers at different concentrations to obtain a stable formulation. The nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering, SEM, TEM, and FTIR. The resulting structures were spherical in shape and their size distribution depended on the type of emulsifier. The average particle size ranged from 188 to 628 nm. The effect of molecular weight and type of emulsifier was established. Optimal models of appropriate size for nasal administration were selected for inclusion of idebenone. Three models of idebenone-loaded nanoparticles were developed and the effect of molecular weight on the encapsulation efficiency was investigated. Increased encapsulation efficiency was found when poly-ε-caprolactone with lower molecular weight was used. The molecular weight also affected the drug release from the nanostructures. Dissolution study data were fitted into various kinetic models and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model was found to be indicative of the release mechanism of idebenone.

Investigation of the adhesion conditions of the micro-surfacing applied on asphalt concrete

The role of the adhesion layer on pavements is to guarantee that the structure works as a monolithic system, making it difficult for early cracks to appear due to fatigue or slipping. Thus, this work investigated the factors influencing the adherent behavior between the micro-surfacing and the asphalt concrete. The Leutner shear strengths were analyzed at the interface with bonding paint using the RR-1 C, RR-2 C, and RC1C-E emulsions for three application rates (0.5 l/m², 0.75 l/m², and 1.0 l/m²). Tests were performed at three temperatures (10 °C, 30 °C, and 50 °C). The temperature variable is the main influential factor in the adherent behavior of the asphalt mixtures analyzed. The bonding paint layer increased the shear strength at low temperatures; however, at high temperatures, the bonding layer did not improve adhesion. The RR-2 C type emulsion presented the best performance among those evaluated. The application rate variable was not statistically significant for shear strength. The data indicate that the application of micro-surfacing on asphalt concrete in regions with high temperatures must be performed carefully because, for high temperatures, the technique showed non-adherent behavior.

Rational design of O/W nanoemulsions based on the surfactant dodecyldiglyceryl ether using the normalized HLD concept and the formulation-composition map

The 1-O-dodecyl diglycerol ether (C12Gly2) is a well-balanced bio-based surfactant whose amphiphilicity and emulsifying property have been studied within the Normalized Hydrophilic-Lipophilic-Deviation (HLDN) framework. Its Hydrophilic-Lipophilic tendency has been measured in saline and salt-free media by two methods. The classic one, is based on the identification of the optimal formulation (Winsor III) in a series of tubes containing a series of C12Gly2/Alkane/Water systems at equilibrium. The alternative method, much faster and more precise, is based on the phase inversion of the same systems under stirring, the HLDN value of which is gradually modified by changing the temperature or the salinity. C12Gly2 is found to be three times less sensitive to temperature and salinity variations than typical ethoxylated surfactants. By stirring C12Gly2/Alkane/Water systems, O/W or W/O emulsions are obtained depending on whether the alkane is long or short. The finest and the least stable emulsions (1 µm) are obtained with n-octane for which HLDN = 0. By systematically varying the Water-to-Oil Ratio (WOR) and the hydrophobicity of the oil, either direct O/W or reverse W/O emulsions are formed and are represented in a Formulation-Composition map. This map is a powerful tool to guide the formulator about which type of emulsion will be obtained depending on the composition of the SOW system and the emulsification protocol used i.e. the pathway in the map. In particular, it is possible to prepare stable and very fine emulsions (≈ 100 nm) by crossing the inversion border of the map favouring the splitting of the droplets and then moving away from it quickly to prevent the coalescence of the droplets.

Paraffin@poly(methyl methacrylate) Phase Change Microcapsules for Thermal Energy Storage and Temperature Regulation

AbstractA series of paraffin@poly(methyl methacrylate) phase‐change microcapsules (Pn@PMMA) were synthesized by suspension polymerization. The prepared Pn@PMMA had excellent latent heat storage and release properties (ΔHm=183.2 J/g, ΔHc=181.9 J/g), excellent thermal stability and cycle durability of at least 100 cycles. The effects of emulsifier type, cross‐linking agent content and core/shell mass ratio on structure and properties of Pn@PMMA were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The morphology of Pn@PMMA exhibited spherical profile with styrene‐maleic anhydride (SMA) as emulsifier and the agglomeration was significantly reduced. The enthalpy of the microcapsules was significantly improved with the addition of crosslinker. The anti‐permeability of Pn@PMMA subsequently further improved with continued increasing amount of cross‐linker. Besides, the enthalpy and anti‐leaking property of the microcapsules progressively reduced with the core/shell mass ratio decreased, while the thermal conductivity gradually increased. Therefore, the results showed that the Pn@PMMA with the enthalpy of 183.2 J/g and the leakage rate of 4.72 %, which displayed a high thermal reliability potential for thermal energy storage and temperature regulation.

Role of pH and cations on emulsion formation and stability of crude oils

Emulsification plays a crucial role in various areas. However, undesirable emulsions, especially water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, formed during crude oil production, transportation, processing, and stockpiling, become significant issues in the petroleum industry. Various studies have focused on evaluating the factors affecting emulsion stability and their mechanisms, which hardly explain the relationship with emulsion formation. This study assessed the effects of pH and cations on the transformation of emulsion types and their stability based on the observed emulsion formation process and emulsion particle sizes. It was found that the final W/O emulsions were transformed from water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions for all brine conditions. At neutral pH, more W/O emulsions were formed through the transformation of W/O/W emulsion, but the high pH broke down most of the W/O/W emulsion into free water and oil. Emulsion particles’ zeta potential or electrokinetics plays a significant role in W/O/W emulsion stability at high pH. The transformation of emulsion types in cation solutions was similar to neutral pH; the amount of W/O emulsion depends on cation species. The W/O/W emulsion stability under different pH in the following order: neutral pH < low pH < high pH, whereas final W/O emulsion stability is as follows: high pH < low pH < neutral pH; MgCl2 < CaCl2 < NaCl. The stability of the emulsion is influenced by the properties of the crude oil, such as viscosity and TAN/TBN ratio, which affect the oil film thickness of the W/O/W. Based on these findings, a stability mechanism is proposed for the emulsion under different pH and cations.

Meat, dairy and vegetable emulsions: Recent innovations in the development of functional, healthy and more stable foods

Applications of formulations that incorporate emulsified oils offer interesting prospects for producing foods with better characteristics that are in line with the new trends in healthy eating and the new regulations on nutritional claims. This review defines and classifies the types of emulsions according to their drop size, formulation and analyzes the latest research related to the application of emulsions in the food industry. It presents valuable information on the use of micro, nano and macro emulsions for the preparation of meat, dairy and vegetable products as a potential alternative in the transport of bioactive compounds, reformulations with better lipid profiles and substitution ingredients of meat origin by ingredients of plant origin, obtaining foods with acceptable functional and sensory properties. New advances in the emulsion industry open up great possibilities in the delivery of health products, however, there are still limitations in the use of ingredients of plant origin in products formulated in considerable percentages with ingredients of animal origin. There are opportunities to improve the technology of food emulsion, the application at an industrial level is a step that is being taken little by little in congruence with the economic viability of the use of vegetable oils in the reformulation and the demand of current consumers for delivery of products with a clean label. It is suggested to study the economic feasibility of the industrial application of the use of single and double emulsion systems as a substitute ingredient for animal fats.

THE INFLUENCE OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS (L.) G. DON. ETHANOL EXTRACT IN CLOVE OIL NANOEMULSION: PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES

Objective: This study aimed to develop a topical nanoemulsion using clove oil and ethanol extract of catharanthus roseus (L.) G. for antioxidant and antibacterial dosage form. Methods: The nanoemulsion was produced using a spontaneous emulsification method. The formulation was carried out using tween 80 and pluronic 127 as surfactants with different extract concentrations (0.5–2%). The characterizations of the formula included organoleptic test, homogeneity, pH determination, emulsion type, viscosity, particle size determination, zeta potential, and stability test were evaluated. Antioxidant activity was conducted using DPPH method and antibacterial activity was determined against propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Results: The result showed that all the formulations produced a stable nanoemulsion with semisolid, clarity, transparent and homogenous characteristic. The nanoemulsion had pH of 5.5-6.5 and belong to oil in water (O/W) type of emulsion. The formula showed viscosity ranged from 121.33±0.29 until 211.01±1.00 cps, had particle size below than 300 nm, and were stable for 3 mo of storage and after accelerated evaluation. nanoemulsion contained 2% of c. roseus extract showed moderate antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 96.29±3.64 and antibacterial activity with 10.65±0.15 and 13.27±0.21 mm of inhibition zones for propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. Conclusion: Clove oil combined with the ethanol extract of c. roseus produced a stable nanoemulsion, which demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Molecular Oxygen Levels and Percentages of DNA Damage in TPN Patients

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a life-saving therapy for patients with intestinal failure, but it carries the risk of complications, including an increase in liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) after long-term use. Patients receiving chronic TPN are also exposed to metabolic stress from both the underlying disease and parenteral nutrition. The aim of this study was to compare the concentration of liver transaminases AST and ALT in relation to the rate of oxygen consumption in platelet mitochondria in patients receiving long-term TPN with the degree of oxidative stress induced by lipid emulsions, and to explain their role in cellular energy metabolism and changes in the liver based on the percentage of genomic DNA damage. The study group consisted of 86 TPN patients, while the control group consisted of 86 healthy volunteers who were fed only orally. The results of the study showed that the percentage of molecular oxygen depended on the type of lipid emulsion supplied. Analyzing time on TPN as a factor, we observed a decrease in percentage genomic DNA damage and an increase in percentage molecular oxygen in cells. It remains unclear whether TPN has a direct effect on genomic DNA damage and the level of molecular oxygen in cells during the course of treatment. In conclusion, this study provides important insights into the potential effects of TPN on liver enzymes and cellular metabolism. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to develop strategies to minimize the risk of complications associated with TPN.

Preparation of oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions with the same composition using hydrophilic nanoparticles by three-phase emulsification

This study was conducted to investigate whether oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions could be simultaneously obtained from the same raw materials via three-phase emulsification. The formation of both emulsion types was examined experimentally using the same hydrophilic nanoparticles and emulsion composition. Two different cases were considered. In the first case, only an O/W emulsion was formed, and in the other case, both O/W and W/O emulsions were produced depending on the interaction between nanoparticles and oil-water interface. These results were attributed to the location of hydrophilic nanoparticles at the oil-water interface. Only the O/W emulsion was obtained when nanoparticles were attached to the oil-water interface. Meanwhile, both types of emulsions were stably formed when nanoparticles partially penetrated the oil phase. Furthermore, even when the type of nanoparticles and emulsion composition were fully identical, the formation of both O/W and W/O emulsions could be independently controlled by varying the related non-thermodynamic parameters during preparation. For example, to produce the O/W emulsion, oil was added to the aqueous nanoparticle phase, and to prepare the W/O emulsion, the aqueous nanoparticle phase was poured into the oil phase. The findings of this work revealed that unlike conventional surfactant emulsification, the three-phase emulsification process mainly depended not on intensive parameters but on extensive parameters such as the masses and sizes of oil droplets and nanoparticles.

Encapsulation Properties of Mentha piperita Leaf Extracts Prepared Using an Ultrasound-Assisted Double Emulsion Method.

Double emulsions (W1/O/W2) have long been used in the food and pharmaceutical industries to encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs and bioactive compounds. This study investigated the effect of different types of emulsifiers (plant- vs. animal-based proteins) on the encapsulation properties of Mentha piperita leaf extract (MLE) prepared using the double emulsion method. Using response surface methodology, the effect of ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions (amplitude 20-50%; time 10-30 min; ethanol concentration 70-90%) on the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (percent inhibition) of the MLE was studied. MLE under optimized conditions (ethanol concentration 76%; amplitude 39%; time 30 min) had a TPC of 62.83 mg GA equivalents/g and an antioxidant activity of 23.49%. The optimized MLE was encapsulated using soy, pea, and whey protein isolates in two emulsifying conditions: 4065× g/min and 4065× g/30 s. The droplet size, optical images, rheology, and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of the different encapsulated MLEs were compared. The W1/O/W2 produced at 4065× g/min exhibited a smaller droplet size and higher EE% and viscosity than that prepared at 4065× g/30 s. The higher EE% of soy and pea protein isolates indicated their potential as an effective alternative for bioactive compound encapsulation.

Pluronic F127 coating performance on PLGA nanoparticles: Enhanced flocculation and instability

Nanoparticles (NPs) can be incorporated into hydrogels to obtain multifunctional hybrid systems to meet the delivery needs of different drugs. However, the stability of NPs in hydrogels is rarely revealed. In this article, we tried to explore the underlying mechanism of an interesting phenomenon that poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (PNPs) could flocculate and deposit in Pluronic F127 (F127) hydrogels at 4 °C. The results showed that this flocculation was relevant to the type of emulsifier formulated in PNPs, the particle materials and the F127 concentration, but independent of PLGA polymer end groups. Exactly, PNPs containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the emulsifier flocculated in F127 solution with a concentration above 15 %. The flocculated PNPs possessed increased particle size, decreased zeta potential, reduced hydrophobicity and an obvious coating layer, and these characteristics could be restored almost to the original state after two washes of flocculated PNPs with water. Moreover, the flocculation had no impact on the long-term size stability and drug-loading capacity of PNPs, and F127-treated PNPs showed improved cellular uptake than untreated PNPs. These results provide the evidence that adsorption of high concentrations of F127 on the surface of PNPs/PVA may lead to flocculation, and the flocculation is reversible by simply washing the flocs with water. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to scientifically explore the stability of PNPs in F127 hydrogels, providing theoretical and experimental support for the rational design and further development of nanoparticle-hydrogel composite.

The effect of vegetable oil pre-emulsified with whey protein and pectin on physicochemical properties and microstructure of low-fat yogurt.

The effects of whey protein isolate (WPI)-pectin pre-emulsified vegetable oil on the physicochemical properties and microstructure of low-fat yogurt (LFY) were investigated by particle size distribution, water-holding capacity (WHC), texture, rheology, electron microscopy, storage stability, and sensory analysis. The vegetable oil was pre-emulsified into two types of emulsions, a mixed emulsion (ME: WPI-pectin complexes were adsorbed directly at the interface) and a bilayer emulsion (BE: Pectin was added to a previously established WPI-stabilized interface). The results showed that yogurts added with pre-emulsified vegetable oil (ME-Y, BE-Y) had significantly better quality than LFY, with better WHC, textural properties, rheological properties, and storage stability. The average particle size of ME (11.96µm) was larger than that of BE (10.23µm). The consistency of yogurt added with ME (ME-Y) was significantly higher than that of yogurt added with BE (BE-Y), at 2359.10 and 2181.12gs, respectively. Meanwhile, ME-Y exhibited storage stability similar to full-fat control (FFY) and higher sensory scores. Interestingly, the WHC of BE-Y (49.03%) was higher than that of ME-Y (45.63%). In addition, WPI+Pectin-Y exhibited higher WHC (53.81%) and consistency (2518.73gs) compared to ME-Y and BE-Y, but the particle size distribution was not uniform, and the direct addition of WPI, pectin, and oil had no positive effect on improving the rheological properties of yogurt. Overall, the addition of WPI-pectin pre-emulsified vegetable oil improved the quality of LFY. These findings are particularly relevant for the production of higher quality LFY.

Comparing mixed oil to soybean oil lipid emulsion in patients on home parenteral nutrition: a pilot prospective double-blind, crossover, randomized trial

BackgroundHome parenteral nutrition (HPN) can be associated with increased liver enzymes, catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), and hospitalizations. Mixed oil (MO) versus soybean oil (SO) lipid emulsion reduces risks in hospitalized patients, but there are no randomized double-blinded controlled trials in HPN. Therefore, the primary objective was to test the study’s feasibility such as recruitment and retention in the HPN population and the secondary objective was to assess changes in liver enzymes between MO and SO as well as other clinical and biochemical outcomes.MethodsThis 13-month prospective double-blind crossover randomized pilot trial took place in Toronto, Canada. Participants were HPN patients who were a part of the HPN program at Toronto General Hospital. We recruited patients from the HPN program. HPN patients receiving SO were randomized to either MO or SO, and the study duration was 6 months in each arm (MO or SO) with a 1-month washout period resuming SO. As this is a crossover trial design, the patient is his/her own control. The main outcome measures were descriptions of study feasibility, namely the study recruitment and retention. We also collected biochemical parameters, CRSBI, hospitalization rate, antibiotic use, and mortality. Demographic, nutritional, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months of each arm. The primary analysis population was defined as the per-protocol population who completed the trial including all lipid measurements.ResultsA total of 65 HPN patients were assessed, and 60 met the inclusion criteria for the study. Thirty-five percent (21/60) were randomized using a computer-generated random number sequence generator: 10 participants were randomized to receive SO first while 11 were randomized to receive MO first. At 13 months, 3/10 who received SO first completed the study, whereas 9/11 who received MO first completed the study. This did not meet our a priori criteria for success in recruitment and retention. Between types of lipid emulsions, there were no significant differences in changes in liver enzymes or biochemical and clinical outcomes, despite significant changes in plasma free fatty acid composition reflecting MO or SO.ConclusionsOverall, this pilot trial demonstrated that the use of a prospective double-blind, crossover, randomized trial design was not feasible to conduct in the HPN population because of difficulties in recruiting and retaining patients. In addition, there was no significant impact of MO versus SO lipid emulsion on liver enzymes or most parameters. The lack of significance may be attributed to low sample size from low recruitment and high drop-out rate, short study duration (6 months/arm), and complex care. In a future definitive trial, a multicenter study of longer duration and a larger sample size is recommended, and drop-outs may be reduced by using a parallel study design.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02796833. Registered on 13 June 2016—retrospectively registered.