Answering the Challenge: Label-Friendly Emulsifiers-Surfactants Presentation

Originally Published: July 10, 2015
Last Updated: February 22, 2021
Peter Wilde Label Friendly Emulsifiers 2015 CLC

“Answering the Challenge: Label-Friendly Emulsifiers-Surfactants” was presented at the 2015 Clean Label Conference by Professor Peter J. Wilde, Ph.D., Institute of Food Research.

Abstract: Many foods are formed of complex, multiphase structures such as dispersions, emulsions and foams. Emulsions and foams often provide structure and texture, impart taste and flavor or deliver bioactive compounds. To create and stabilize emulsions and foams, amphiphilic molecules in the form of surfactants, emulsifiers and polymers are used. A wide range of synthetic or extracted surfactants and emulsifiers have been developed over the years that are highly effective at creating stable foams and emulsions. However, the move towards cleaner labels has driven alternative approaches using proteins and other naturally occurring emulsifiers. Although proteins are not always as effective at creating foams and emulsions, they have other advantages. The use of enzymes to alter the natural lipid composition of foods and to improve their functional properties is an innovative, emerging tactic. A range of approaches currently being developed to replace surfactants and emulsifiers in foods, their advantages and disadvantages and their potential for use in clean label foods were reviewed.

An excerpt from the written summary of this presentation: Researchers have explored a wide variety of natural, label-friendly emulsifiers & surfactants.

“Unfortunately, industry faces significant hurdles to commercialization for some of these products. Current natural emulsifiers will probably never match traditional emulsifiers for performance, and some novel emulsifiers may be clean label but may not be appealing to consumers,” said Wilde.

Click here for the written summary “Label-Friendly Emulsifiers; Surfactants” of this presentation.

Click on the button below to download a PDF of Wilde’s PowerPoint presentation “Answering the Challenge: Label-Friendly Emulsifiers-Surfactants.”

 

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