The present state and future outlook of pectin-based nanoparticles in the stabilization of Pickering emulsions

Abstract

The stabilization of Pickering emulsions using micro/nanoparticles has gained significant attention due to their wide range of potential applications in industries such as cosmetics, food, catalysis, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. There is a growing demand for the development of environmentally friendly micro/nanoparticles to create stable Pickering emulsions. Naturally occurring polysaccharides like pectin offer promising options as they can assemble at oil/water interfaces. This polysaccharide is considered a green candidate because of its biodegradability and renewable nature. The physicochemical properties of micro/nanoparticles, influenced by fabrication methods and post-modification techniques, greatly impact the characteristics and applications of the resulting Pickering emulsions. This review focuses on recent advancements in Pickering emulsions stabilized by pectin-based micro/nanoparticles, as well as the application of functional materials in delivery systems, bio-based films and 3D printing using these emulsions as templates. The effects of micro/nanoparticle properties on the characteristics of Pickering emulsions and their applications are discussed. Additionally, the obstacles that currently hinder the practical implementation of pectin-based micro/nanoparticles and Pickering emulsions, along with future prospects for their development, are addressed.

Keywords:

• Pickering emulsion
• pectin
• stability
• delivery
• bioavailability

Acknowledgments

Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Plan Project “Secondary development and application research of Qianlieshule Capsules, a large variety of traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations” (20210401090YY).

National Key R&D Project “Application Demonstration of Key Technologies for the Production of Genuine Medicinal Materials such as Ginseng in Rural Industries” NO.2021YFD1600900.

Author contributions

SZ, WZ, XH, JL and ZA contributed to manuscript drafting and data collection. All authors approved the final paper. JL and ZA oversaw the study.

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None.

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None.

Competing interests

None.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

None.