Chitosan-highland barley gliadin complex stabilizes Pickering emulsion.

This study aimed to investigate the phase behavior of chitosan (Cs) - highland barley gliadin (HBG) complex and application in stabilizing Pickering emulsion. The turbidity results indicated that the insoluble complex was more likely to form between Cs and HBG at the higher concentration of HBG and NaCl (the optimal concentration ratio (1:40). The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and surface tension showed that the insoluble complex formed between Cs and HBG at pH 4.0 had better solubility and surface wettability. The results of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) indicated that each molecule of Cs could interact with 1, 2, and 7 HBG molecules under pH 2.5, 3.2, and 4.0, respectively. In addition, the Pickering emulsion stabilized by Cs-HBG complex showed great rheological properties, thermal stability and storage stability under the conditions of pH 4.0, concentration ratio (Cs:HBG) of 1:40, and oil fraction of 50%. These researches would contribute to the better utilization of polysaccharide-hydrophobic protein complex in the food and pharmaceutical fields. • Insoluble Cs-HBG complex was inclined to form at high HBG concentrations. • Insoluble Cs-HBG complex was inclined to form at high ion strengths. • The insoluble Cs-HBG complex had stronger interaction and better stability. • The Pickering emulsion stabilized by Cs-HBG complex had great thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]