Surface modification of microcrystalline cellulose: Physicochemical characterization and applications in the Stabilization of Pickering emulsions

The phenomenon of polymer adsorption was applied to modify the surface of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The active polymer sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa), having different molecular weight was used to produce modified MCCs. The average particle size of unmodified MCC was about 14.208 ± 0.064 μm, and it was increased to 19.576 ± 0.26 μm after modification. The modified MCCs exhibited a typical shear thinning behavior. It suggested that the molecular weight of active polymer had an amenable and significant influence on the physicochemical properties and stability of MCCs. The composites prepared from CMCNa with high molecular weight were more stable than others. Moreover, dried MCCs could be re-dispersed in water and could be used as a stabilizer for Pickering emulsions. The obtained emulsions (CMCNa-c) showed higher stability against pH changes, ionic strength and coalescence during storage. It suggested that the re-dispersible MCCs played a significant role in stabilization of emulsions. Furthermore, the re-dispersible MCCs preserved the original properties of un-dried composites and could also be used in other food allied sectors.