Ultrasonication-driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions: influence of pH and rheological stabilizers

This study investigates the formulation of sustainable nanoemulsions using cricket protein as a natural emulsifier and linseed oil as the dispersed phase, emphasizing the effects of pH, ultrasonication, and rheological modifiers on emulsion stability and structure. Surface and interfacial tension an...

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Main Authors: Rosa María Sánchez-García, Azahara Rodríguez-Luna, Jenifer Santos, Luis A. Trujillo-Cayado
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Ultrasonics Sonochemistry
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350417725003013
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author Rosa María Sánchez-García
Azahara Rodríguez-Luna
Jenifer Santos
Luis A. Trujillo-Cayado
author_facet Rosa María Sánchez-García
Azahara Rodríguez-Luna
Jenifer Santos
Luis A. Trujillo-Cayado
author_sort Rosa María Sánchez-García
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the formulation of sustainable nanoemulsions using cricket protein as a natural emulsifier and linseed oil as the dispersed phase, emphasizing the effects of pH, ultrasonication, and rheological modifiers on emulsion stability and structure. Surface and interfacial tension analyses revealed significant reductions with increasing protein concentration, stabilizing at ≥1 g/L. At alkaline pH (≥12), interfacial tension became unmeasurable due to complete phase merging, attributed to enhanced protein solubility and surface activity. Droplet size distribution exhibited bimodal patterns across all pH levels, with the smallest Sauter diameter (0.54 μm) and optimal span (1.91) achieved at pH 12.5.Ultrasonication parameters (amplitude and sonication time) were optimized using response surface methodology. The smallest droplet size (0.365 μm) was predicted at 63 % amplitude and 9.6 min of sonication. However, higher energy inputs also increased polydispersity, likely due to droplet recoalescence in the absence of sufficient emulsifier. To enhance stability, guar gum (GG) and advanced performance xanthan gum (APXG) were tested. APXG, particularly at ≥0.25 wt%, significantly improved viscoelasticity (G′ > G″) and increased consistency (K = 9.87 Pa·sn at 0.5 wt%), forming gel-like structures and reducing the Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) over a 21-day period.These results underscore the critical roles of pH, ultrasonic processing, and rheological modification in designing robust nanoemulsions. The integration of cricket protein and APXG under optimized conditions offers a promising platform for stable, eco-friendly emulsions in functional food and nutraceutical applications.
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issn 1350-4177
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spelling doaj-art-411af2117a874e92a8fac08f89e1a4522025-08-23T04:47:42ZengElsevierUltrasonics Sonochemistry1350-41772025-09-0112010752210.1016/j.ultsonch.2025.107522Ultrasonication-driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions: influence of pH and rheological stabilizersRosa María Sánchez-García0Azahara Rodríguez-Luna1Jenifer Santos2Luis A. Trujillo-Cayado3Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Avda. de las Universidades s/n, Dos Hermanas, 41704 Sevilla, SpainDepartamento de Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Avda. de las Universidades s/n, Dos Hermanas, 41704 Sevilla, SpainDepartamento de Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Avda. de las Universidades s/n, Dos Hermanas, 41704 Sevilla, Spain; Corresponding author.Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Sevilla, c/Virgen de África, 6, E41007 Sevilla, SpainThis study investigates the formulation of sustainable nanoemulsions using cricket protein as a natural emulsifier and linseed oil as the dispersed phase, emphasizing the effects of pH, ultrasonication, and rheological modifiers on emulsion stability and structure. Surface and interfacial tension analyses revealed significant reductions with increasing protein concentration, stabilizing at ≥1 g/L. At alkaline pH (≥12), interfacial tension became unmeasurable due to complete phase merging, attributed to enhanced protein solubility and surface activity. Droplet size distribution exhibited bimodal patterns across all pH levels, with the smallest Sauter diameter (0.54 μm) and optimal span (1.91) achieved at pH 12.5.Ultrasonication parameters (amplitude and sonication time) were optimized using response surface methodology. The smallest droplet size (0.365 μm) was predicted at 63 % amplitude and 9.6 min of sonication. However, higher energy inputs also increased polydispersity, likely due to droplet recoalescence in the absence of sufficient emulsifier. To enhance stability, guar gum (GG) and advanced performance xanthan gum (APXG) were tested. APXG, particularly at ≥0.25 wt%, significantly improved viscoelasticity (G′ > G″) and increased consistency (K = 9.87 Pa·sn at 0.5 wt%), forming gel-like structures and reducing the Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) over a 21-day period.These results underscore the critical roles of pH, ultrasonic processing, and rheological modification in designing robust nanoemulsions. The integration of cricket protein and APXG under optimized conditions offers a promising platform for stable, eco-friendly emulsions in functional food and nutraceutical applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350417725003013Cricket proteinNanoemulsionFood processingUltrasonicSustainable
spellingShingle Rosa María Sánchez-García
Azahara Rodríguez-Luna
Jenifer Santos
Luis A. Trujillo-Cayado
Ultrasonication-driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions: influence of pH and rheological stabilizers
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry
Cricket protein
Nanoemulsion
Food processing
Ultrasonic
Sustainable
title Ultrasonication-driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions: influence of pH and rheological stabilizers
title_full Ultrasonication-driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions: influence of pH and rheological stabilizers
title_fullStr Ultrasonication-driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions: influence of pH and rheological stabilizers
title_full_unstemmed Ultrasonication-driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions: influence of pH and rheological stabilizers
title_short Ultrasonication-driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions: influence of pH and rheological stabilizers
title_sort ultrasonication driven optimization of cricket protein nanoemulsions influence of ph and rheological stabilizers
topic Cricket protein
Nanoemulsion
Food processing
Ultrasonic
Sustainable
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350417725003013
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AT azahararodriguezluna ultrasonicationdrivenoptimizationofcricketproteinnanoemulsionsinfluenceofphandrheologicalstabilizers
AT jenifersantos ultrasonicationdrivenoptimizationofcricketproteinnanoemulsionsinfluenceofphandrheologicalstabilizers
AT luisatrujillocayado ultrasonicationdrivenoptimizationofcricketproteinnanoemulsionsinfluenceofphandrheologicalstabilizers