In order to improve the emulsifying properties of oat protein, oat protein isolate (OPI)–dextran (Dex)
conjugates were prepared by glycation reaction. Emulsifying properties of emulsions stabilized by native
OPI (OPIN), OPI–Dex conjugates (ODC) and heated OPI (OPIH) were characterized by zeta-potential, mean
droplet size and microstructure. The results showed that the covalent attachment of OPI and dextran was
confirmed by determining degree of graft and SDS–PAGE. OPI–Dex conjugates were capable of forming a
finer emulsion, which exhibited smaller average particle size and better storage stability under different
homogenization pressures (30, 60, 90 MPa) compared with OPIN and OPIH. When assessed in different pH
and ionic strength, emulsions stabilized by OPI–Dex conjugates resulted in improved emulsion stability
to environmental stresses. Confocal laser scanning microscopy depicted more uniform and smaller oil
droplets that had a reduced tendency to coalesce for emulsions prepared with ODC.