Improve the chitosan particle-stabilized oil-water interface by dual reinforcement and its effect on the structure and properties of emulsion.

This study investigated the enhancement of chitosan particle-stabilized oil-water interface stability by incorporating cinnamaldehyde in the oil phase and sodium alginate in the water phase. The effects of varying concentrations of these additives on emulsion microstructure and stability were examined. Sodium alginate and cinnamaldehyde contributed to a thicker, more uniform interface. The Schiff base reaction between chitosan and cinnamaldehyde improved particle adsorption and stability, while electrostatic interactions between sodium alginate and chitosan formed a multilayer interface. This dual-strengthening mechanism resulted in emulsions with smaller droplet sizes, improved storage stability, and enhanced centrifugal stability and oil binding capacity. At a 1.5:1:5 ratio of sodium alginate/chitosan/cinnamaldehyde, the droplet size was minimized to 31.33 μm and remained stable during storage. The emulsion showed no oil phase leakage after centrifugation, and the oil binding capacity increased from 52.5 % to 85.4 %. This study provides a novel approach to improve chitosan particle-stabilized emulsion stability.