Investigating the influence of myofibrillar protein and chitosan interfacial distribution on the macroscopic characteristics of emulsions.

Myofibrillar protein (MP) and chitosan (CS) complexes, formed through electrostatic interactions, hold promise for creating novel emulsions. This study examines the emulsion system utilizing MP and CS as interfacial phases, exploring the distribution patterns of MP-CS (external MP), CS-MP (external CS), and pre-compounded MP/CS, along with varying MP-to-CS concentration ratios (5:1 to 1:5). MP/CS emulsions exhibited finer particle size and higher zeta potential compared to MP-CS and CS-MP bilayer emulsions, with the 1:1 ratio displaying optimal stability. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed uniform dispersion at the 1:1 ratio, while other ratios showed increased flocculation. MP/CS emulsions demonstrated superior stability and less delamination than bilayer emulsions. Microrheological analysis revealed concentration-dependent elasticity and viscosity trends, with MP-CS emulsions being more elastic but less viscous than CS-MP emulsions. The viscoelastic properties of MP/CS emulsions were intermediate. These findings offer valuable insights into the design of interfaces for muscle protein and polysaccharide complex emulsions.