Design, characterization, and properties of Pickering emulsions stabilized with β-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks and their composites

Regular morphology of BCDMOFs enhanced their adsorption at the oil-water interface. • Apigenin embedded in BCDMOFs improved the antioxidant properties of emulsions. • Both emulsions degraded in small intestine with Fickian diffusion of FFA release. Cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (CDMOFs), a promising class of sustainable porous materials, have emerged as biocompatible carriers for active compounds. In the present study, the potential of CDMOFs composites on stabilization of Pickering emulsions and control digestion of active components was investigated. Two target Pickering emulsions were successfully fabricated employing β -cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (BCDMOFs) and apigenin/BCDMOFs composites, respectively. The emulsions stabilized by 3% (w/v) BCDMOFs or 4% (w/v) apigenin/BCDMOFs composites exhibited the smallest droplet size and optimal centrifugal stability. The regular lamellar crystal structure of BCDMOFs provided excellent contact to enhance adsorption and arrangement at the oil-water interface. The irregular shape of apigenin/BCDMOFs composites led to higher consumption to stabilize the emulsions. However, the incorporation of apigenin provided apigenin/BCDMOFs emulsions additional oxidative protection for the oil phase. In vitro digestion kinetics demonstrated that both emulsions were extensively broken down in the intestinal phase, with free fatty acid (FFA) release following Fickian diffusion. The study could extend the application of BCDMOFs complexes in antioxidative Pickering emulsions systems and pave the way for the food with the function of rapid nutrient absorption. Download: Download high-res image (253KB) Download: Download full-size image