Lipase digestibility of the oil phase in a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion

Hydrolysis of the oil phase in a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion was studied using pancreatic lipase. The influence of the W/O volume fraction, lipase concentration, and concentration of emulsifiers used to prepare W/O/W emulsions on lipid digestion and release of encapsulated material were investigated. The extent of lipid digestion differed depending on the W/O volume and lipase concentration, and the amount of dye released was not dependent on the W/O content or lipase concentration. The concentration of emulsifiers did not affect the extent of digestion. The information obtained in this study will be useful for design of W/O/W emulsion formulations with controlled release profiles and lipid digestion.