Application of X-ray microcomputed tomography for the static and dynamic characterization of the microstructure of oleofoams

DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c03318

Authors: Lorenzo Metilli (University of Leeds) , Malte Storm (Diamond Light Source; Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon) , Shashidhara Marathe (Diamond Light Source) , Aris Lazidis (Nestlé Product Technology Centre Confectionery) , Stephanie Marty-Terrade (Nestlé Research) , Elena Simone (University of Leeds; Politecnico di Torino)
Co-authored by industrial partner: Yes

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Langmuir

State: Published (Approved)
Published: January 2022
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 24233 , 25431

Abstract: Oleofoams are a novel, versatile, and biocompatible soft material that finds application in drug, cosmetic or nutraceuticals delivery. However, due to their temperature-sensitive and opaque nature, the characterization of oleofoams’ microstructure is challenging. Here, synchrotron X-ray microcomputed tomography and radiography are applied to study the microstructure of a triglyceride-based oleofoam. These techniques enable non-destructive, quantitative, 3D measurements of native samples to determine the thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of oleofoams at different stages of their life cycle. During processing, a constant bubble size distribution is reached after few minutes of shearing, while the number of bubbles incorporated keeps increasing until saturation of the continuous phase. Low amounts of solid triglycerides in oleofoams allow faster aeration and a more homogeneous microstructure but lower thermodynamic stability, with bubble disproportionation and shape relaxation over time. Radiography shows that heating causes Ostwald ripening and coalescence of bubbles, with an increase of their diameter and sphericity.

Journal Keywords: Thickness; Crystals; Microstructures; Bubbles

Diamond Keywords: Chocolate

Subject Areas: Food Science, Materials


Instruments: I13-2-Diamond Manchester Imaging

Added On: 24/01/2022 08:50

Discipline Tags:

Soft condensed matter physics Materials Science Food Science

Technical Tags:

Imaging Tomography