3.3.2. Changes in physical stability of β-carotene emulsion
Creaming and sedimentation stability of β-carotene emulsions were detected by a novel centrifugal sedimentation technique, using the LUMiSizer. As shown in Fig. 3, it was evident that the separation behaviours of the emulsions prepared with α-La, α-La–CA or EGCG mixture and complex were quite different. Emulsions prepared with control α-La and α-La–CA complex were unstable, because they exhibited a marked increase in the transmission due to creaming and flotation during the centrifugation for 7650 s at 4000 rpm. The β-carotene emulsion stability was slightly improved by native α-La and α-La–CA or EGCG mixture. Moreover, α-La–EGCG covalent complex exhibited an emulsion stability similar to those of native α-La and α-La–CA or EGCG mixture. Combined with size analysis of the emulsions, the results indicated that the α-La–EGCG covalent complex could improve the physical stability of β-carotene emulsion.