Structural characterization of nanoemulsions stabilized with sodium caseinate and of the hydrogels prepared from them by acid-induced gelation.

Hydrogels obtained by acidification with glucono-δ-lactone (GDL), starting from nanoemulsions formulated with different concentrations of sodium caseinate (1-4 wt%) or 4 wt% sodium caseinate and sucrose (2-8 wt%), were prepared with the aim of quantifying structural parameters of both, initial nanoemulsions and hydrogels after 2.5 h of GDL addition, using the Guinier-Porod (GP) or the generalized GP models. Gelation process was followed by performing in situ temperature-controlled X-ray small angle scattering experiments (SAXS) using synchrotron radiation.

Relationship between nano/micro structure and physical properties of TiO-sodium caseinate composite films.

Films obtained by casting, starting from conventional emulsions (CE), nanoemulsions (NE) or their gels, which led to different structures, with the aim of explore the relationship between structure and physical properties, were prepared. Sodium caseinate was used as the matrix, glycerol as plasticizer, glucono-delta-lactone as acidulant to form the gels, and TiO nanoparticles as reinforcement to improve physical behavior. Structural characterization was performed by SAXS and WAXS (Small and Wide Angle X-ray Scattering, respectively), combined with confocal and scanning electron microscopy.