Fabrication and structural characterization of lactoalbumin-carrageenan-based porous materials by Pickering emulsion template

Porous materials (PM) are extensively utilized for delivering bioactive molecules, catalysts, and cell culture due to high surface area, pore permeability, and modifiability. This study focused on preparing PM using the Pickering emulsion template method with α-lactalbumin (α-LA) and ĸ-carrageenan (ĸ-CA) co-assembed particles as emulsifiers. The influence of various factors on the pore size and morphological characteristics of PMs was investigated. The characterization results showed that the concentration of ĸ-CA and pH value significantly affected the droplet size and distribution of Pickering emulsion droplets. At PM indicate that at pH 5, the combination of 9% α-LA, 4% ĸ-CA, and 75% oil phase ratio resulted in the smallest pore size (3.93 ± 0.83 μm), a large and uniform number of pores, and the highest oil absorption (20.48 ± 0.94 g/g). This composition outperforms other sample variations. The pore size and distribution of the PMs can be regulated by controlling the conditions of four factors. XRD and FTIR analysis revealed that the three-dimensional structure of PMs was formed through the dissociation of the crystalline regions of ĸ-CA and the co-assembly of α-LA involving the formation of non-covalent bonds such as hydrogen bonds. • Food-grade porous materials were prepared using protein-polysaccharide complexes. • Pickering emulsion droplet size and distribution can be regulated by four factors. • Porous materials' pore size/distribution correlate with Pickering emulsion droplets. • Porous materials' oil absorption can be regulated by changing influencing factors.