Colloidal destabilisation mechanisms in protein-stabilised emulsions

Over the past decade important new insights have been gained into the functionality of proteins as emulsion and foam stabilisers. This paper reviews important new findings in the fields of emulsion stabilisation by polysaccharide thickeners, coalescence in highly concentrated and dilute aggregated emulsions and emulsion droplet-air interaction. These new findings will be discussed in terms of recent improved understanding of the surface rheological behaviour and thin film behaviour of proteins. These insights may lead to an improved use of the special properties that proteins have as emulsion stabilisers compared to other stabilisers, such as low-molecular-weight surfactants or polyelectrolytes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.