Stabilizing performance of montmorillonite on fish gelatin-monascorubins system by labyrinth effect

Abstract

Natural monascorubins could be used in various fields but are unstable under heat, pH, etc., with limited application. Fish gelatin could disperse monascorubins, which could be further stabilized by montmorillonite. Effect of montmorillonite was studied by CIElab color, zeta potential, particle sizes, SEM, contact angle, antibacterial activity, thermal/chemical resistance, and the stabilizing mechanism was explored by FTIR, XRD, Raman and molecular simulation. Montmorillonite effectively strengthened gelatin-monascorubin system by labyrinth effect based on hydrogen bond, host-guest interaction and complexation, thereby reducing sizes with nano structure and increasing specific surface area, antibacterial activity and thermal/chemical stability. High-content montmorillonite made the nanocomplex system to have outstanding shear-thinning behavior, excellent thixotropy and proper yield stress, and to illustrate potential as edible inks. This nanocomplex system performed well in handwriting and massive screen printing, with great surface fastness. Structure based on fish gelatin and montmorillonite indicates promise in dispersing and stabilizing functional materials with broad industrial application value.