This study investigated the feasibility of applying rhamnolipid-stabilized nanostructured lipid carrier (RNLC) as a novel type of particulate filler and its impact on the structure and properties of κ-carrageenan/konjac glucomannan (KC-KGM) composite hydrogel. RNLC particles (204.87 ± 3.50 nm) were fabricated by high-pressure homogenization method. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry results suggested that KC-KGM could regulate the crystallinity and polymorphism of RNLC. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis verified the presence of hydrogen bond and electrostatic interaction between RNLC and KC-KGM. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging observation revealed that the increase of RNLC (0–0.25 wt%) led to a denser network structure with good uniformity, improving the texture profiles (hardness and cohesiveness) and rheological properties (moduli, critical strain and thermal stability) of composite hydrogels. RNLC at higher filling levels (0.5–2 wt%) made composite hydrogels more rigid and brittle. Low field-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis confirmed the decreased mobility of immobilized/free hydrogen protons in RNLC-filled composite hydrogels, and their water synthesis rates could be reduced by up to 12.26% after freeze-thawing for five repetitions. The fitting of Korsmeyer-Peppas model (R² > 0.992) unraveled that the swelling mechanism of composite hydrogels belonged to pseudo-Fickian diffusion, and the swelling behavior could be altered by adjusting the particle filling level. Overall, the optimal synergistic effect between structure and properties could be achieved when the mass ratio of KC-KGM to RNLC reached 4:1. These findings would bring more potential for applying RNLC as a functional filler in gel foods.

本研究探讨了应用鼠李糖脂稳定的纳米结构脂质载体（RNLC）作为新型颗粒填料的可行性及其对κ-卡拉胶/魔芋葡甘聚糖（KC-KGM）复合水凝胶结构和性能的影响。RNLC颗粒（204.87±3.50 nm）通过高压均质法制备。X射线衍射和差示扫描量热结果表明，KC-KGM可以调节RNLC的结晶度和多晶型。傅里叶变换红外光谱分析验证了 RNLC 和 KC-KGM 之间存在氢键和静电相互作用。冷冻扫描电子显微镜和磁共振成像观察表明，RNLC（0-0.25 wt%）的增加导致网络结构更加致密，均匀性好，改善复合水凝胶的质地轮廓（硬度和内聚性）和流变性能（模量、临界应变和热稳定性）。较高填充水平（0.5-2 wt%）的 RNLC 使复合水凝胶更加坚硬和易碎。低场核磁共振分析证实，RNLC填充的复合水凝胶中固定化/游离氢质子的迁移率降低，冻融5次后其水合成率最多可降低12.26%。Korsmeyer-Peppas 模型的拟合 (R 低场核磁共振分析证实，RNLC填充的复合水凝胶中固定化/游离氢质子的迁移率降低，冻融5次后其水合成率最多可降低12.26%。Korsmeyer-Peppas 模型的拟合 (R 低场核磁共振分析证实，RNLC填充的复合水凝胶中固定化/游离氢质子的迁移率降低，冻融5次后其水合成率最多可降低12.26%。Korsmeyer-Peppas 模型的拟合 (R²  > 0.992）揭示了复合水凝胶的溶胀机理属于伪Fickian扩散，通过调节颗粒填充水平可以改变溶胀行为。总体而言，当KC-KGM与RNLC的质量比达到4:1时，可以实现结构和性能之间的最佳协同效应。这些发现将为将 RNLC 用作凝胶食品中的功能性填料带来更大的潜力。