A comparative study of high internal phase emulsions (hipes) stabilized with proteins from mealworm (tenebrio molitor) and black soldier fly (hermetia illucens)

Identifier:  TFM:2244

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM2244

Authors:  Rusciano, Chiara

Abstract:
To address the demand for plant oil-based analogues of adipose tissue as sustainable alternatives to animal fat, high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) were developed using insect-derived proteins as stabilizers and compared with HIPEs stabilized by whey protein. This study aims to evaluate the potential of insect proteins in forming 3D-printable emulsions that mimic the structural and functional properties of animal fat. HIPEs with an oil phase of 75% were successfully formulated, exhibiting a droplet size distribution ranging from 23 to 33 μm. Emulsion stability was monitored over a 22-day storage period. The emulsion stabilized with 4% WPI remained stable throughout the entire period, whereas those stabilized with insect proteins maintained stability for less than 7 days, with the exception of the one containing 2.5% BSF, which remained stable up to day 7. The results indicated that emulsions stabilized with insect proteins possessed rheological characteristics more suitable for 3D printing than those based on whey protein (i.e., higher viscosity and improved viscoelastic behavior). Although the emulsions maintained structural stability for an average of 7 days, insect-derived proteins showed promising potential as functional and sustainable emulsifiers in the formulation of fat analogues.