FROM WASTE TO FUNCTIONAL RESOURCE: LIGNOCELLULOSE MICROPARTICLES IN HIPE EMULSIONS FOR PLANT-BASED APPLICATIONS

High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), with a dispersed phase comprising more than 74%, represent highly structured and versatile colloidal systems that can incorporate large volumes of oil or water. This characteristic makes them ideal for functional applications such as replacing saturated fat/animal fat in plant-based food products, controlled release of active ingredients, and encapsulation of sensitive compounds. In this study, Pickering-type HIPEs were developed using lignocellulosic microparticles from sugarcane bagasse as natural stabilizers, with the aim of creating sustainable and high-performance formulations. The emulsions were prepared with 80% high-oleic sunflower oil and 20% water (O/W), testing two microparticle concentrations - 0.5% and 1% (w/v) - in the presence of only 0.001 g of Tween 80 (equivalent to one drop), used solely as an emulsification aid, with no predominant stabilizing effect. The stability of the emulsions was monitored for 7 days at 25°C, with visual assessment of the formation of a bottom phase and calculation of the separation index [(H/Ho) × 100]. The formulation with 1% microparticles demonstrated high stability, with no visible creaming, while the 0.5% formulation showed separation within the first day. Optical microscopy revealed that the system with the higher microparticle concentration had a more homogeneous droplet distribution and a higher dispersed phase density, promoting the formation of a compact network with a gel-like texture, which is highly desirable in plant-based products aiming to simulate the plasticity of saturated fats/animal fats. The results obtained demonstrate the functionality of lignocellulosic microparticles as solid stabilizing agents in Pickering systems, demonstrating their effectiveness in forming stable and highly oily emulsified structures. This approach contributes to the advancement of emulsion engineering in the food industry by using agro-industrial waste as techno-functional inputs with low environmental impact.