Tailoring 3D-printed gelatin-based high internal phase emulsions for enhanced resveratrol delivery: Role of gelatin type, pH, and concentrations

Lu-Yao Zheng; Dong Li; Li-Jun Wang

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.148662

Tailoring 3D-printed gelatin-based high internal phase emulsions for enhanced resveratrol delivery: Role of gelatin type, pH, and concentrations

Food Chem. 2026 May 1:510:148662. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.148662. Epub 2026 Feb 26.

Authors

Lu-Yao Zheng¹, Dong Li², Li-Jun Wang³

Affiliations

¹ College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, China Agricultural University, P. O. Box 50, 17 Qinghua Donglu, Beijing 100083, China.
² College of Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, National Energy R & D Center for Non-food Biomass, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
³ College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, China Agricultural University, P. O. Box 50, 17 Qinghua Donglu, Beijing 100083, China. Electronic address: wlj@cau.edu.cn.

PMID: 41785748
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.148662

Abstract

This study systematically investigated the effects of gelatin (GE) type (GEA/GEB), concentration, and pH on the properties of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). Self-supporting HIPEs with 82 vol% oil loading were achieved at GE concentrations above 3%. Increasing GE content promoted interfacial adsorption, denser films, yielding smaller droplets and tighter packing, which enhanced structural integrity, thermal stability, viscoelasticity, and thixotropy. GEA demonstrated superior performance due to greater hydrophobicity and surface activity, forming a robust 3D network at the interface via irreversible adsorption, bridging, and steric effects. In contrast, GEB favored aqueous-phase gelation, imparting less favorable printing rheology. Emulsions were destabilized under extreme pH. HIPEs with 7% GEA showed excellent 3D printability and shape fidelity, and offered enhanced protection for resveratrol against thermal/UV degradation, enabling controlled intestinal release. This work highlights GEA-stabilized HIPEs as advanced edible inks for precision printing and targeted nutrient delivery.

Keywords: 3D printing; Encapsulation; Gelatin; High internal phase emulsions; Molecular structure; Rheology.

MeSH terms

Drug Carriers* / chemistry
Drug Delivery Systems* / instrumentation
Emulsions / chemistry
Gelatin* / chemistry
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Particle Size
Printing, Three-Dimensional
Resveratrol* / chemistry
Rheology
Viscosity

Substances

Gelatin
Emulsions
Resveratrol
Drug Carriers