Protein-Polysaccharide Interactions for Stabilization of Food Emulsions

Proteins, polysaccharides and their blends, as examples of natural biopolymers, are surface active materials. Biopolymers may be considered as amphiphilic macromolecules that play an essential role in stabilizing food formulations (foams, emulsions and dispersions). Under specific conditions (such as protein-to-polysaccharide ratio, pH, ionic strength, temperature, mixing processing), it has been stated that proteins and polysaccharides form hybrids (complexes) with enhanced functional properties in comparison to the proteins and polysaccharides alone. Different protein-polysaccharide pairs are reviewed with particular attention to the emulsification capability of their mixtures. In the case of uncomplexed blends of biopolymers, competitive adsorption onto hydrophobic surfaces is generally reported. Conversely, electrostatic complexation between oppositely charged proteins and polysaccharides allows better anchoring of the new-formed macro-molecular amphiphile onto oil-water interfaces. Moreover, improved thermal stability and increased resistance to external treatment (high pressure) involved in food processing are obtained. This review presents basic and applied knowledge on protein-polysaccharide interactions in aqueous medium and at the oil-water interface in food emulsion systems. Electrostatic interactions and thermodynamic incompatibility in mixed biopolymer solutions are correlated to the functional properties (rheology, surface hydrophobiciry, emulsification power) of these interesting blends. Basic and industrial selected systems of different families of hydrocolloids (as gum Arabic, galactomannans, pectins) and protein (caseins, whey, soya, gelatin) mixtures are reviewed.