Foaming natural deep eutectic solvents (FNADES) based on natural sweeteners and its solubilization effect for food applications

In this study, several foaming novel natural deep eutectic solvents (FNADESs) were successfully prepared from two natural sweeteners of mogroside and stevioside, and their potential as surfactants was identified in the food field. The physicochemical/spectral properties and thermal stability of the synthesized FNADESs were characterized before use. Surface activity of the DESs was comprehensively determined based on critical micelle concentration, emulsifying ability, foaming capacity, and wettability. The FNADESs derived from these natural glycosides exhibited excellent surface activity and were applied for the solubilization of squalene in aqueous solution, with the stevioside–sorbitol (Ste-Sor) achieving a solubilization rate of 3302 ± 294 %. The solubilization mechanism of Ste-Sor for squalene was explored using computational chemistry, revealing that the primary interactions involved are hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. The zebrafish assay confirmed that the synthesized DESs showed unobvious toxic effect. The anti-wrinkle and antioxidant properties of squalene and synthesized tripeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate (Syn-ake) were evaluated, showing that squalene dissolved in Ste-Sor had a wrinkle-reducing effect of 50.1 ± 19.2 %, and the aqueous solution of the peptide exhibited 53.8 ± 12.8 % wrinkle-reducing ability; the radical scavenging rate of squalene at 1 mmol/L was 16.0 ± 1.1 %, while Syn-ake showed 0.8 %. • Two unique FNDESs were synthesized for the first time using various natural sweeteners. • Computational chemistry was used to reveal the solubilization mechanism by the FNDES. • The synthesized FNDESs exhibited excellent emulsifying ability and foaming capacity. • FNDES-based oil-water co-solubilization system was developed for squalene and Syn-ake.