Tripolyphosphate-chitosan-pea protein interactions confers long-term stability to 3D printed high internal phase Pickering emulsions

Food Chem. 2025 Feb 28:466:142228. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142228. Epub 2024 Nov 24.

Abstract

This research explores the interactions of tripolyphosphate-chitosan-pea protein (TPP-CS-PP) in improving the stability and storage of 3D printing food inks. Chitosan (CS) and pea protein (PP) were complexed at various concentrations with 80 % palm olein to produce high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs) 3D printing food inks. The resulting CSPP HIPPEs exhibited shear-thinning behaviour and the flexibility to switch between solid and liquid states, ideal for 3D printing. CSPP1:150 achieved the best 3D printing resolution and shape fidelity due to electrostatic attraction of CS-PP and excess PP enhancing adhesion at the oil/water interface. After spraying tripolyphosphate (TPP), crosslinking with CS and phosphorylation of PP further improved HIPPE resistance to deformation and oiling off for 2 days post-printing. This is a significant improvement over the control. Thus, further investigation on the interaction of TPP with CS and PP is warranted to further improve the storage stability of 3D printed food inks.

Keywords: 3D printing; Chitosan; Emulsion stability; High internal phase Pickering emulsion; Pea protein; Sodium tripolyphosphate.

MeSH terms

  • Chitosan* / analogs & derivatives
  • Chitosan* / chemistry
  • Emulsions* / chemistry
  • Food Packaging / instrumentation
  • Pea Proteins / chemistry
  • Polyphosphates / chemistry
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Chitosan
  • Pea Proteins
  • chitosan-tripolyphosphate
  • Polyphosphates
  • triphosphoric acid