Effects of enzymatically modified starch on the encapsulation efficiency and stability of water-in-oil-in-water emulsions

The present study was performed to investigate the possibility of using 4-α-glucanotransferase (4αGTase)-treated starch in W/O/W emulsions to increase their encapsulation efficiency (EE) and stability. Emulsions were prepared using soybean oil, polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), 4αGTase-treated starch and Tween 20. The mean diameter of W/O/W droplets ranged from 4 to 10 μm depending on the sonication time. When the dye was loaded in the internal water phase, the emulsion prepared by sonication for 1 and 2 min showed a high EE of the dye (>90%). The W/O/W emulsion prepared by sonication for 3 min showed an EE of <90%, but this EE was improved by adding 4αGTase-treated starch to the internal water phase. 4αGTase-treated starch was added to the internal water phase of W/O/W emulsions prepared with a low concentration of PGPR, and the PGPR concentration required to maintain an EE >90% was reduced. W/O/W emulsions containing 4αGTase-treated starch also showed better stability against heating and shearing stresses. These results indicated that 4αGTase-treated starch could be used in the preparation of W/O/W emulsions, which would allow the formulation of W/O/W emulsions with a reduced surfactant concentration.     

Preparation and Characterization of Water/Oil/Water Emulsions Stabilized by Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate and Whey Protein Isolate

ABSTRACT: In this study we tried to prepare stable water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions using polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as a hydrophobic emulsifier and whey protein isolate (WPI) as a hydrophilic emulsifier. At first, water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions was prepared, and then 40 wt% of this W/O emulsion was homogenized with 60 wt% aqueous solution of different WPI contents (2, 4, and 6 wt% WPI) using a high-pressure homogenizer (14 and 22 MPa) to produce W/O/W emulsions. The mean size of final W/O/W droplets ranged from 3.3 to 9.9 μm in diameter depending on the concentrations of PGPR and WPI. It was shown that most of the W/O/W droplets were small (<5 μm) in size but a small population of large oil droplets (d > 20 μm) was also occasionally observed. W/O/W emulsions prepared at the homogenization pressure of 22 MPa had a larger mean droplet size than that prepared at 14 MPa, and showed a microstructure consisting of mainly approximately 6 to 7-μm droplets. When a water-soluble dye PTSA as a model ingredient was loaded in the inner water phase, all W/O/W emulsions showed a high encapsulation efficiency of the dye (>90%) in the inner water phase. Even after 2 wk of storage, >90% of the encapsulated dye still remained in the inner water phase; however, severe droplet aggregation was observed at relatively high PGPR and WPI concentrations.     

Release rate profiles of magnesium from multiple W/O/W emulsions

Water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions were formulated based on rapeseed oil, olive oil, olein and miglyol. Polyglycerol polyricinoleate and sodium caseinate were used as lipophilic and hydrophilic emulsifiers, respectively. Magnesium was encapsulated in the inner aqueous droplets. Emulsion stability was assayed through particle sizing and magnesium release at two storage temperatures (4 and 25 °C) over 1 month. Irrespective of the oil nature, both the primary W/O and W/O/W emulsions were quite stable regarding the size parameters, with 10-μm fat globules and 1-μm internal water droplets. Magnesium leakage from W/O/W emulsions was influenced by the oil type used in the formulation: the higher leakage values were obtained for the oils characterized by the lower viscosity and the higher proportion of saturated fatty acids. Magnesium release was not due to droplet–globule coalescence but rather to diffusion and/or permeation mechanisms with a characteristic rate that varied over time. In addition, W/O/W emulsions were resistant to various thermal treatments that mimicked that used in pasteurization processes. Finally, when W/O/W emulsions were placed in the presence of pancreatic lipase, the emulsion triglycerides were hydrolysed by the enzyme. These results indicated a possible use of W/O/W emulsions loaded with magnesium ions in food applications.     

Structuring of lipid phases using controlled heteroaggregation of protein microspheres in water-in-oil emulsions

The effect of heteroaggregation of oppositely charged protein microspheres dispersed within a liquid oil phase on the microstructure and rheological properties of water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions was evaluated. The aqueous phase of the initial W/O emulsions contained either 10% β-lactoglobulin or 10% lactoferrin (pH 7, 100 mM NaCl). At this pH, β-lactoglobulin (BLG) is negatively charged while lactoferrin (LF) is positively charged. The oil phase consisted of a lipophilic non-ionic surfactant (8% polyglycerol polyricinoleate, PGPR) dispersed within soybean oil. Three 40% W/O emulsions were formed containing different types of protein microspheres: (i) BLG: 100% BLG droplets; (ii) LF: 100% LF droplets; and (iii) Mixed: 50% BLG droplets and 50% LF droplets. Prior to heating, the mixed emulsions had a higher shear viscosity, yield stress, and shear modulus than the BLG or LF emulsions, which suggested that electrostatic attraction led to the formation of a three-dimensional network of aggregated droplets. All three W/O emulsions underwent an irreversible fluid-to-solid transition when they were heated above ≈70 °C. This phenomenon was attributed to thermal denaturation of the globular BLG and LF molecules within the aqueous phase promoting aggregation and network formation of the protein microspheres. After heating, the mixed emulsions had a higher shear viscosity, yield stress and shear modulus than the BLG or LF emulsions, suggesting that a stronger droplet network was formed due to electrostatic attraction. Shear rheology measurements of the W/O emulsions showed that the lipid phases formed after heating were non-ideal plastics characterized by a yield stress and shear thinning behavior. These results may facilitate the design of semi-solid or solid foods with reduced saturated- or trans-fat contents suitable for use in commercial products.     

Crosslinking of interfacial layers in multilayered oil-in-water emulsions using laccase: Characterization and pH-stability

The enzymatic crosslinking of polymer layers adsorbed at the interface of oil-in-water emulsions was investigated. A sequential two step process, based on the electrostatic deposition of pectin onto a fish gelatin interfacial membrane was used to prepare emulsions containing oil droplets stabilized by fish gelatin-beet pectin membranes (citrate buffer, 10 mM, pH 3.5). First, a fine dispersed primary emulsion (5% soybean oil (w/v), 1% (w/w) gelatin solution) (citrate buffer, 10 mM, pH 3.5) was produced using a high pressure homogenizer. Second, a series of secondary emulsions were formed by diluting the primary emulsion into pectin solutions (0 - 0.4% (w/w)) to coat the droplets. Oil droplets of stable emulsions with different oil droplet concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0% (w/v)) were subjected to enzymatic crosslinking. Laccase was added to the fish gelatin-beet pectin emulsions and emulsions were incubated for 15 min at room temperature. The pH- and storage stability of primary, secondary and secondary, laccase-treated emulsions was determined. Results indicated that crosslinking occurred exclusively in the layers and not between droplets, since no aggregates were formed. Droplet size increased from 350 to 400 nm regardless of oil droplet concentrations within a matter of minutes after addition of laccase suggesting formation of covalent bonds between pectin adsorbed at interfaces and pectin in the aqueous phase in the vicinity of droplets. During storage, size of enzymatically treated emulsions decreased, which was found to be due to enzymatic hydrolysis. Results suggest that biopolymer-crosslinking enzymes could be used to enhance stability of multilayered emulsions.     

Droplet characterization and stability of soybean oil/palm kernel olein O/W emulsions with the presence of selected polysaccharides

Droplet characteristics, flow properties and stability of egg yolk-stabilized oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions as affected by the presence of xanthan gum (XG), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), guar gum (GG), locust bean gum (LBG) and gum Arabic (AG) were studied. The dispersed phase (40%) of the emulsions was based on soybean oil/palm kernel olein blend (70:30) that partially crystallized during extended storage at 5 °C. In freshly prepared emulsions, the presence of XG, CMC, GG and LBG had significantly decreased the droplet mean diameters. XG, LBG, GG and CMC emulsions exhibited a shear-thinning behavior but AG emulsion exhibited a Bingham plastic behavior and control (without gum) emulsion almost exhibited a Newtonian behavior. Both control and AG emulsions exhibited a severe phase separation after storage (30 days, 5 °C). The microstructure of stored XG emulsion showed the presence of partially coalesced droplets, explaining a large increase in its droplet mean diameters. Increases in droplet mean diameters and decreases in flow properties found for stored GG and LBG emulsions were attributed to droplet coalescence. Nevertheless, the occurrence of droplet coalescence in these emulsions was considered to be small as no free oil could be separated under centrifugation force. Increases in flow properties and excellent stability towards phase separation found for stored CMC emulsion suggested that CMC could retard partial coalescence. Thus, the results support the ability of CMC, GG and LBG in reducing partial coalescence either by providing a sufficiently thick continuous phase or by acting as a protective coating for oil droplets.     

Structure and oxidative stability of oil in water emulsions as affected by rutin and homogenization procedure

The structural properties of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, as well as their oxidative stability upon storage at 50 °C, were studied. Eight different formulations were prepared, with the aim of studying the effect of three variables: the composition of the oil phase, the presence of the flavonoid rutin and the homogenization procedure on the structure and the oxidative stability. It was found that high pressure homogenization, through droplet size reduction, stabilized the emulsions both against creaming and oil oxidation. The interfacial protein was also partially replaced by rutin, further improving the stability of the emulsions, whereas purification of the oil phase had hardly any effect. Thus, the structural and oxidative stability of emulsions was controlled by the size of the droplets and improved by the addition of rutin.     

Antioxidant and emulsifying properties of potato protein hydrolysate in soybean oil-in-water emulsions

The efficacy of a previously developed antioxidative potato protein hydrolysate (PPH) for the stabilisation of oil droplets and inhibition of lipid oxidation in soybean oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions was investigated. Emulsions (10% lipid, pH 7.0) with PPH-coated oil droplets were less stable than those produced with Tween 20 (P < 0.05). However, the presence of PPH, whether added before or after homogenisation with Tween 20, retarded emulsion oxidation, showing reduced formation of peroxides up to 53.4% and malonaldehyde-equivalent substances up to 70.8% after 7-d storage at 37 °C (P < 0.05), when compared with PPH-free emulsions. In the emulsions stabilised by PPH + Tween 20, 8–15% of PPH was distributed at the interface. Adjustment of the pH from 3 to 7 markedly increased ζ-potential of such emulsions (P < 0.05). Inhibition of lipid oxidation by PPH in soybean O/W emulsions can be attributed to both chemical and physical (shielding) actions.     

Influence of interfacial composition on oxidative stability of oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by biopolymer emulsifiers

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of storage pH (3 and 7) and biopolymer emulsifier type (Whey protein isolate (WPI), Modified starch (MS) and Gum arabic (GA)) on the physical and oxidative stability of rice bran oil-in-water emulsions. All three emulsifiers formed small emulsion droplets (d₃₂ < 0.5 μm) when used at sufficiently high levels: 0.45%, 1% and 10% for WPI, MS and GA, respectively. The droplets were relatively stable to droplet growth throughout storage (d₃₂ < 0.6 μm after 20 days), although there was some evidence of droplet aggregation particularly in the MS-stabilized emulsions. The electrical charge on the biopolymer-coated lipid droplets depended on pH and biopolymer type: −13 and −27 mV at pH 3 and 7 for GA; −2 and −3 mV at pH 3 and 7 for MS; +37 and −38 mV at pH 3 and 7 for WPI. The oxidative stability of the emulsions was monitored by measuring peroxide (primary products) and hexanal (secondary products) formation during storage at 37 °C, for up to 20 days, in the presence of a pro-oxidant (iron/EDTA). Rice bran oil emulsions containing MS- and WPI-coated lipid droplets were relatively stable to lipid oxidation, but those containing GA-coated droplets were highly unstable to oxidation at both pH 3 and 7. The results are interpreted in terms of the impact of the electrical characteristics of the biopolymers on the ability of cationic iron ions to interact with emulsified lipids. These results have important implications for utilizing rice bran oil, and other oxidatively unstable oils, in commercial food and beverage products.     

Continuous preparation of O/W nano-emulsion by the treatment of a coarse emulsion under subcritical water conditions

A coarse oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, the oil phase of which was octanoic acid, was prepared at a very low surfactant concentration using a rotor/stator homogenizer. The emulsion was passed in a stainless steel tube immersed in an oil bath at 220 °C at a residence time of 60 s, and then mixed with the surfactant solution to produce a finely dispersed emulsion. The diameter of oil droplets in the fine emulsion was ca. 40 nm at the weight ratio of surfactant to oil of ca. 0.35 or higher.     

W/O/W emulsions with high internal droplet volume fraction

We prepared water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsions with high internal aqueous droplet fraction using food-based ingredients. These compartmentalised materials were comprised of oil globules dispersed in an external aqueous phase, with the globules themselves containing densely packed inner aqueous droplets. We were able to obtain double emulsions with large globule fractions (up to 45 vol.%) using only 5 vol.% oil (relative to the overall composition). In the final state, the inner droplet fraction within the globules could exceed 90 vol.%. The method was based on two successive emulsification steps, followed by osmotic swelling (transport of water from the external phase to the inner droplets through the oil phase). During the final step, the swelling was controlled by the osmotic pressure mismatch between the external and internal aqueous phases using solutes dissolved at different concentrations. The osmotic swelling model of Mezzenga et al. (Langmuir, 2004, 20, 3574-3582) was re-adapted in the limit of small Laplace pressures to predict the final composition resulting from osmotic equilibration. The internal droplet fraction was lower than that predicted by the model as a consequence of coalescence phenomena occurring during the swelling process. The proposed approach constitutes a valuable guide within the prospect of formulating emulsions with enhanced encapsulation capacity and reduced fat content.     

Surface-active solid lipid nanoparticles as Pickering stabilizers for oil-in-water emulsions

Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions solely stabilized by surface-active solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were developed. The SLNs were generated by quench-cooling hot O/W nanoemulsions consisting of 7.5% glyceryl stearyl citrate (GSC) dispersed in water. Their initial volume-weighted mean particle diameter (～152 nm) and zeta potential (ca.-49 mV) remained unchanged for 24 weeks. O/W emulsions (oil phase volume fraction: 0.2) containing 7.5% (w/w) GSC SLNs in the aqueous phase were kinetically-stable for 12 weeks and did not visually phase-separate over 24 weeks. The O/W emulsions generated with solid-state GSC SLNs had a volume-weighted mean oil droplet diameter of ～459 nm and a zeta potential of ca.-43 mV. Emulsion microstructure evaluated with TEM revealed dispersed oil droplets sparsely covered with adsorbed Pickering-type SLNs as well aggregated SLNs present in the continuous phase. Gradual emulsion destabilization resulted from GSC SLN dissolution during the experimental timeframe. Overall, surface-active SLNs developed via nanoemulsions effectively kinetically stabilized O/W emulsions.     

Effect of chitosan on the stability and properties of modified lecithin stabilized oil-in-water monodisperse emulsion prepared by microchannel emulsification

The effect of chitosan (CHI) on the stability of monodisperse modified lecithin (ML) stabilized soybean oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion was investigated. Monodisperse emulsion droplets with particle size of 24.4 ± 0.7 μm and coefficient of variation below 12% were prepared by microchannel (MC) emulsification using a hydrophilic asymmetric straight-through MC silicon 24 × 24 mm microchip consisting of 23,348 microchannels. The stability of the ML stabilized monodisperse emulsion droplets was investigated as a function of CHI addition at various concentration, pH, ionic strength, thermal treatment and freezing-thawing treatment by means of particle size and ζ-potential measurements as well as microscopic observation. The monodisperse O/W emulsions were diluted with CHI solution at various concentrations to a final droplet concentration of 1 wt% soybean oil, 0.25 wt% ML and 0–0.5 wt% CHI at pH 3. Pronounced droplet aggregation was observed when CHI was present at a concentration range of between 0.01 and 0.04 wt%. Above this concentration range, flocculations were less extensive, indicating some restabilization. ML stabilized emulsions were stable at a wide range of NaCl concentrations (0–1000 mM) and pH (3–8). On the contrary, in the presence of CHI, aggregation of the emulsion droplets was observed when NaCl concentration was above 200 mM and when the pH started to approach the pKa of CHI (i.e. ∼6.2–7.0). Emulsions containing CHI were found to have better stability at high temperature (>70 °C) in comparison to the emulsion stabilized only by ML. With sucrose/sorbitol as cryoprotectant aids, emulsions with the addition of CHI were found to be more resistant to droplet coalescence as compared to those without CHI after freezing at −20 °C for 22 h and thawing at 30 °C for 2 h. The use of CHI may potentially destabilize ML-stabilized O/W emulsions but its stability can be enhanced by selectively choosing the appropriate CHI concentrations and conditions of preparation.     

Stability and Oil Migration of Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions Emulsified by Phase‐Separating Biopolymer Mixtures

Oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions with varying concentration of oil phase, medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT), were prepared using phase‐separating gum arabic (GA)/sugar beet pectin (SBP) mixture as an emulsifier. Stability of the emulsions including emulsion phase separation, droplet size change, and oil migration were investigated by means of visual observation, droplet size analysis, oil partition analysis, backscattering of light, and interfacial tension measurement. It was found that in the emulsions prepared with 4.0% GA/1.0% SBP, when the concentration of MCT was greater than 2.0%, emulsion phase separation was not observed and the emulsions were stable with droplet size unchanged during storage. This result proves the emulsification ability of phase‐separating biopolymer mixtures and their potential usage as emulsifiers to prepare O/W emulsion. However, when the concentration of MCT was equal or less than 2.0%, emulsion phase separation occurred after preparation resulting in an upper SBP‐rich phase and a lower GA‐rich phase. The droplet size increased in the upper phase whereas decreased slightly in the lower phase with time, compared to the freshly prepared emulsions. During storage, the oil droplets exhibited a complex migration process: first moving to the SBP‐rich phase, then to the GA‐rich phase and finally gathering at the interface between the two phases. The mechanisms of the emulsion stability and oil migration in the phase‐separated emulsions were discussed.     

一种水包油包胶型乳液的制备及其在乳化肠中的应用

以结冷胶和无水氯化钙为内水相凝固剂,酪蛋白酸钠为外水相乳化剂,制备一种水包油包胶（S/O/W）型 乳液。以多重乳液粒径和分布为指标,研究酪蛋白酸钠添加量对S/O/W型多重乳液加工适应性的影响。结果表明： 正交试验得到S/O型单重乳液最佳制备条件为：内水相中结冷胶添加量0.2%、无水氯化钙添加量0.5%;内水相乳化 剂聚甘油蓖麻醇酯添加量2.5%;油相为精炼猪油,油水体积比3∶2;剪切速率17 500 r/min,剪切时间1.5 min。将制 得的S/O型单重乳液与不同添加量酪蛋白酸钠混合制得S/O/W型多重乳液。当酪蛋白酸钠添加量0.1%时,S/O/W型 多重乳液粒径符合加工要求,且贮藏、热处理、剪切稳定性较好。以多重乳液替代猪脂肪制备的低脂乳化肠与高脂 （精炼猪油含量20%）乳化肠外观不存在明显差异;微观结构观察结果表明,多重乳液在乳化肠中包裹良好、分布 均匀。     

Preparation of Monodisperse Food-Grade Oleuropein-Loaded W/O/W Emulsions Using Microchannel Emulsification and Evaluation of Their Storage Stability

W/O/W emulsion is an emerging system in developing new functional and low-calorie food products. The aim of this study is to produce food-grade monodisperse water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions loaded with a hydrophilic bioactive oleuropein. W/O/W emulsions were prepared via high-pressure homogenization and subsequent microchannel (MC) emulsification. The internal aqueous phase was a 5-mM sodium phosphate buffer containing d(+)-glucose (5 wt.%) and oleuropein (0.1–0.7 wt.%). The oil phase consisted of soybean oil and tetraglycerin monolaurate condensed ricinoleic acid esters (TGCR; 3–8 wt.%). The external aqueous phase was a 5-mM sodium phosphate buffer containing d(+)-glucose (5 wt.%) and decaglycerol monolaurate (1 wt.%). Oleuropein-loaded submicron W/O emulsions with average droplet diameters as small as 0.15 μm and monomodal droplet size distributions were prepared by high-pressure homogenization when applying high TGCR concentrations of 5–8 wt.% and low oleuropein concentrations of 0.1–0.3 wt.%. Monodisperse oleuropein-loaded W/O/W emulsions with average W/O droplet diameters of around 27 μm and coefficients of variation of below 5 % were successfully prepared when using a silicon MC array plate with wide channels of 5-μm depth and 18-μm width. The monodisperse W/O/W emulsions prepared at high TGCR concentrations and low oleuropein concentrations were the most stable during 40 days of storage. The adsorption behavior of oleuropein at the internal aqueous–oil interface was relevant to W/O/W emulsions microstructure and stability. The results are believed to provide useful information for successfully preparing stable monodisperse W/O/W emulsions loaded with hydrophilic functional compounds. The surface activity of the loaded material seems to be a key parameter in optimizing the formulation of W/O/W food emulsion.     

Enhancing anti-inflammation activity of curcumin through O/W nanoemulsions

High-speed and high-pressure homogenized O/W emulsions using medium chain triacylglycerols (MCT) as oil and Tween 20 as emulsifier, with mean droplet sizes ranging from 618.6 nm to 79.5 nm, have been successfully prepared. The enhanced anti-inflammation activity of curcumin encapsulated in O/W emulsions is evidenced by the mouse ear inflammation model. There is a 43% or 85% inhibition effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced edema of mouse ear for 618.6 nm and 79.5 nm 1% curcumin O/W emulsions, respectively, but a negligible effect is found for 1% curcumin in 10% Tween 20 water solution.     

Effects of water-soluble soybean polysaccharide on rheological properties,stability and lipid digestibility of oil-in-water emulsion during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Water-soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) is a naturally occurring emulsifier. SSPS was used as the sole emulsifier to stabilize an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. The effects were investigated of different SSPS concentrations (3–20% (w/w)) on the lipid digestibility, rheological properties and stability of O/W emulsions during in vitro digestion model. The droplet size of the emulsions tended to increase during the oral phase because the emulsions were unstable and droplets coalesced, except with a SSPS concentration of 20% (w/w). The presence of SSPS markedly reduced the free fatty acid (FFA) content after its stabilized O/W emulsion passed through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The amount of FFA significantly decreased as the concentration of SSPS increased due to SSPS stabilization film on oil droplet surface and high viscous system. SSPS may be an attractive alternative ingredient to control the lipid digestibility of emulsions for various food products.     

Viscosity change in oil/water food emulsions prepared using a membrane emulsification system

This paper reports viscosity measurements of oil/water (O/W) monodispersed emulsions of different droplet diameters obtained in a membrane emulsification system. Hydrophilic microporous glass membranes of different pore diameters were used to prepare O/W emulsions. The results showed that the droplet diameter of the emulsions varied with the average pore diameter of the membrane. The average droplet diameter was found to be about five times greater than the average membrane pore diameter. A correlation was found for the relationship between the average droplet diameter and the emulsion viscosity. As the dispersed droplet size became smaller, the total surface area of the droplets increased. Therefore, the emulsion viscosity and the relative viscosity increased. Few studies have reported the viscosity of O/W emulsions with droplet diameter of 5 μm or more and an oil phase concentration of 10 vol% or less. In the present study a correlation between the droplet diameter and the emulsion viscosity was statistically established. ©     

Effects of Green Tea Extract and α‐Tocopherol on the Lipid Oxidation Rate of Omega‐3 Oils,Incorporated into Table Spreads,Prepared using Multiple Emulsion Technology

Abstract: This study examined the effectiveness of fat and water soluble antioxidants on the oxidative stability of omega (ω)‐3 rich table spreads, produced using novel multiple emulsion technology. Table spreads were produced by dispersing an oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsion (500 g/kg 85 camelina/15 fish oil blend) in a hardstock/rapeseed oil blend, using sodium caseinate and polyglycerol polyricinoleate as emulsifiers. The O/W and oil‐in‐water‐in‐oil (O/W/O) emulsions contained either a water soluble antioxidant (green tea extract [GTE]), an oil soluble antioxidant (α‐Tocopherol), or both. Spreads containing α‐Tocopherol had the highest lipid hydroperoxide values, whereas spreads containing GTE had the lowest (P < 0.05), during storage at 5 °C, while p‐Anisidine values did not differ significantly. Particle size was generally unaffected by antioxidant type (P < 0.05). Double emulsion (O/W/O) structures were clearly seen in confocal images of the spreads. By the end of storage, none of the spreads had significantly different G′ values. Firmness (Newtons) of all spreads generally increased during storage (P < 0.05). Practical Application: Lipid oxidation is a major problem in omega‐3 rich oils, and can cause off‐odors and off‐flavors. Double emulsion technology was used to produce omega‐3 enriched spreads (O/W/O emulsions), wherein the omega‐3 oil was incorporated into the inner oil phase, to protect it from lipid oxidation. Antioxidants were added to further protect the spreads by reducing lipid oxidation. Spreads produced had good oxidative stability and possessed functional (omega‐3 addition) properties.