Highlights
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Citral water-in-oil emulsion was stabilized by a soy protein-polysaccharide Maillard reaction product (SPPMP).
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The chemical stability of citral to thermal treatments was greatly enhanced in SPPMP-stabilized emulsions.
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SPPMP-stabilized emulsion exhibited excellent capacity to stabilize citral under simulated gastrointestinal conditions.
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The storage stability of citral was significantly enhanced in SPPMP-stabilized emulsions.
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SPPMP-stabilized emulsion is a potential carrier for intestinal delivery of hydrophobic compounds.