Emulsion-stabilizing Effect of Bacterial Cellulose

Abstract

The bacterial cellulose produced in an agitated culture (Ag-BC) showed the highest emulsion-stabilizing effect among the examined cellulosic materials. It was clarified that a mechanical barrier and a scaffolding structure composed of fine fibrils of bacterial cellulose interrupted the coalescence of oil droplets to stabilize the emulsion without reducing the interfacial tension as occurred with sorbitan monolaurate. Since Ag-BC consists of thinner fibrils and smaller floes than any other cellulosic material, Ag-BC would cover a larger surface area of the oil droplet as a mechanical barrier.