Development of Pickering water-in-oil emulsions using a dual stabilization of candelilla wax and acylated EGCG derivatives to enhance the survival of probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum) powder†

Probiotics have considerable interest due to their inseparable link to human health. However, probiotic products are seriously challenged during processing, preservation, and intake. Food-grade probiotic delivery systems need to be further explored as an effective way to enhance cell viability. In this study, water-in-oil (W/O) Pickering emulsions were fabricated by adding candelilla wax (CLW) as a network stabilizer based on acylated EGCG derivatives in the crystalline form as a Pickering stabilizer. The effects of acylated EGCG derivatives’ concentration, CLW concentration, and oil phase volume fraction on the droplet size distribution, microstructure, and physical stability of Pickering emulsions were explored. The presence of CLW reduced the particle size and improved the physical stability of acylated EGCG-based emulsions, and the effect was more positive with increasing concentration. The protective effect of emulsions with different oil phase volume fractions on Lactobacillus plantarum during freeze-thaw cycles, storage, and gastrointestinal digestion was evaluated. The outer-phase physical barrier of W/O emulsions co-stabilized with acylated EGCG derivatives and CLW facilitated the sensitivity of probiotics to ice crystal growth, temperature changes, acidic environments, and digestive enzymes. The emulsions formulated with 40% oil phase volume fractions allowed Lactobacillus plantarum to survive up to 7.75 log CFU g⁻¹ in the harsh gastrointestinal environment. The results offer promising strategies for applying W/O emulsion probiotic delivery systems in food processing, storage, and oral administration.