Effect of interaction between ovotransferrin fibrils and pectin on properties of oleogel-based Pickering emulsions

The effect of interaction between ovotransferrin fibrils (OVTFs) and citrus pectin (CP) on the properties of oleogel-based Pickering emulsions was innovatively explored. Firstly, the interaction between OVTFs and CP was investigated by constructing OVTF-CP complexes. OVTF-CP complexes with better stability were obtained when OVTFs to CP mass ratio of 3:1 at pH 5.0, which exhibited pearl chain-like structures by electrostatic attractions. Subsequently, to discuss the effect of interaction between OVTFs and CP on the properties of oleogel-based Pickering emulsions, oleogel-based OVTF-stabilized Pickering emulsion (OE) and oleogel-based OVTF-CP complex-stabilized Pickering emulsion (OCPE) were developed. The interaction between OVTFs and CP endowed OCPE with better stability, smaller droplet size, more prominent gel-like structure, higher viscosity and superior texture properties compared with OE. To construct an efficient delivery system for nutraceuticals, OE and OCPE were used to load curcumin. Compared with curcumin-loaded OE, curcumin-loaded OCPE had excellent pro-tection for curcumin, higher rate of lipolysis and bioaccessibility of curcumin. Our work demonstrates that the interaction between OVTFs and CP can regulate the properties of oleogel-based Pickering emulsions, which will provide new insights into the formation and application of protein fibril-polysaccharide complexes. This may contribute to the precise development of Pickering emulsions with protein fibril-polysaccharide structures and ideal properties.