Thermal treatment improves the physical stability of hemp seed oleosomes during storage

Oleosomes are the intracellular vesicles that store oil in oil-bearing seeds. By extracting them intact from the seed cells, an emulsion is obtained that does not require the addition of stabilizers and could be used in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. We investigated the physicochemical properties of hemp seed oleosomes. Oleosomes were extracted with an alkaline aqueous solvent at an extraction yield of 27.3 ± 2.2 wt%. The fresh oleosomes were physically stable at pH values between 2.0 and 12.0, at ionic strengths up to 500 mM and at temperatures up to 100 °C. However, after 14 days of storage, the extracts showed extensive microbial growth. To prevent the observable microbial growth a treatment of the oleosomes at 80 °C was applied. This treatment did not change the physicochemical properties of the oleosomes. Therefore, this treatment opens the possibility of storing oleosomes extracts for longer times before using them in a range of potential applications in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.