Tuning egg yolk granules/sodium alginate emulsion gel structure to enhance β-carotene stability and in vitro digestion property

In this study, emulsion gels were constructed by ionic gelation method using egg yolk granules/sodium alginate bilayers emulsion. In particular, the main driving force of the emulsion gels was controlled by adjusting pH. Compared with pH 7.0, the mechanical properties of EYGs emulsion gel were enhanced at pH 4.0 (G' > G″). The interfacial protein aggregation that occurred at pH 4.0 promoted the compactness of the EYGs emulsion gel structure along with enhanced capillary effect. The emulsion gel structure tended to be complete at 1 % SA of pH 4.0, for the electrostatic interaction required more SA molecules involved in maintaining emulsion gel structural stability. The denser emulsion gel structure of pH 4.0 than pH 7.0 improved storage stability, FFA releasing, and chemical stability of β-carotenes. Bioaccessibility of β-carotenes also decreased to achieve sustained release. This study provides a theoretical basis for tuning emulsion gel structure to adjust encapsulation stability and in vitro digestion characteristics of active ingredients.