In Situ Monitoring of Nanostructure Formation during the Digestion of Mayonnaise

Stefan Salentinig*, Heinz Amenitsch, Anan Yaghmur

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Triglycerides in food products such as mayonnaise are a vital source of energy and essential for a complete and healthy diet. Their molecular structures consist of a glycerol backbone esterified with fatty acids on the two outer and the middle positions. During the digestion of triglycerides by pancreatic lipase in the small intestine, the ester bonds on the outer positions are hydrolyzed, leading to amphiphilic monoglycerides and free fatty acids as products. Depending on their chain length and degree of saturation, these products can self-assemble into a variety of structures in excess water. In this study, we report the discovery of highly ordered nanostructures inside of the mayonnaise emulsion droplets during in vitro digestion of mayonnaise under simulated in vivo conditions using time-resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering. The formation of these structures is most likely linked to their function as a carrier and controlled release system for food nutrients, especially poorly water-soluble components, in the aqueous milieu of the digestive tract. This detailed understanding of nanostructure formation during the digestion of triglyceride-containing food products such as mayonnaise may have fundamental implications for the development of foods with improved nutritional and functional properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1441-1446
Number of pages6
JournalACS Omega
Volume2
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Apr 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemical Engineering(all)
  • Chemistry(all)

Fields of Expertise

  • Advanced Materials Science

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