Recent progress in the fabrication of advanced emulsions with pea proteins and their application in the food industry

Abstract

Food emulsion is one of the major systems in the food industry, which exists in spreads, dressings, creams, sauces, dips, and beverages. Recently, there has been an active search for suitable plant protein sources to replace animal proteins for the fabrication of advanced emulsion systems in the food industry. Pea protein is getting more and more attention as a good emulsifier in the food industry because of its low cost, low allergy, rich nutrition, and good functionality. This review summarizes recent studies on the fabrication and utilization of these advanced emulsions with pea proteins, including nanoemulsions, Pickering emulsions, high internal phase emulsions, and double emulsions. A brief description of emulsifying property of pea protein is given, then the formation and properties of each type of pea protein emulsions are described, and finally, the potential applications of pea protein as an emulsifier in commercial food products are introduced. A particular emphasis is given to the utilization of pea protein as an emulsifier and these advanced pea protein emulsions for the delivery of bioactive components, 3D printing, and production of market products.