This paper attempted to construct a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) through altering interfacial behaviors using the electrostatic interaction between positive chitosan and negative octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) starch. The partial polysaccharide complex of OSA starch/chitosan was used to stabilize HIPE, which was able to adsorb at the oil droplet interface and prevent the coalescence of oil droplets. The wettability of OSA starch was enhanced with the addition of positively charged chitosan, leading to the formation of partial complexes. The impact of pH and concentration of chitosan on the droplet size, surface charge, and interface behavior were investigated, and the formation of the polysaccharide complex was further confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The presence of the OSA starch/chitosan complex facilitated the formation of stable HIPE with a gel-like structure and satisfactory centrifugal and oxidative stability. These results are useful to provide information for fabricating polysaccharide-based HIPE delivery systems, which may help expand their application in the food industry.
Keywords: OSA starch; chitosan; gel-like structure; high internal phase emulsion; oxidation; wettability.