Os atributos físicos, físico-químicos e químicos dos sistemas emulsionados são influenciados pelas características das gotículas da fase interna destes, como: concentração, tamanho e morfologia. Dessa forma, os objetivos envolveram a caracterização física e físico-química de sistemas emulsionados obtidos a partir dos tensoativos álcool estearílico 21 OE (óxidos de etileno) (steareth-21) e álcool oleílico 20 OE (oleth-20), bem como, a introdução da tomografia por coerência óptica (OCT) como técnica analítica para determinação do tamanho de partículas e caracterização morfológica das emulsões. Prepararam-se três formulações, diferindo-se no tensoativo utilizado, sendo o sistema emulsionado SE-1 composto por 8,0% (p/p) de oleth-20; o SE-2 por 4,0% (p/p) de oleth-20 e 4,0% (p/p) steareth-21; e o SE-3 por 8,0% (p/p) steareth-21. Avaliaram-se a estabilidade preliminar, o valor de pH, os perfis reológico e termogravimétrico. A presença de fase gel cristalina foi determinada por meio da microscopia com luz polarizada e, o tamanho das gotículas, por meio da microscopia óptica comum, difração a laser e OCT. As amostras não apresentaram sinais de instabilidade por meio dos testes da centrifugação e do estresse térmico. O valor de pH foi considerado compatível com o da pele humana (4,6 a 5,8). Os sistemas apresentaram comportamento reológico não-Newtoniano pseudoplástico. SE-1 apresentou viscosidade aparente inferior (223,53 mPa.s) e área de histerese (2238,38 Pa/s) estatisticamente igual ao SE-2 (2911,19 Pa/s); SE-2 apresentou valor intermediário de viscosidade aparente (332,20 mPa.s) e, SE-3, valores superiores para ambos os parâmetros (636,40 mPa.s e 4248,97 Pa/s). Os testes oscilatórios constataram a predominância do caráter elástico para os três sistemas. Por meio da termogravimetria, o perfil das três amostras foi semelhante, independentemente do tipo e concentração do tensoativo não-iônico. Observou-se a presença de fase gel cristalina para os três sistemas, sendo aparentemente mais pronunciado para o SE-2. Tanto na análise microscópica quanto na difração a laser foram obtidos tamanho médio de partículas menor que 6,0 µm. De acordo com os resultados da OCT, as partículas menores que 6,0 µm não foram possíveis de serem conclusivamente observadas e aquelas maiores sugeriram ser a fase interna dos sistemas. / The physical, physicochemical and chemical attributes of the emulsified systems are influenced by the characteristics of their internal phase droplets, such as: concentration, size and morphology. Thus, the aims involved the physical and physicochemical characterization of emulsions obtained from the stearyl alcohol condensed with 21 mols ethylene oxide (EO) (steareth-21) and oleyl alcohol with 20 mols EO (oleth-20), as well as, the introduction of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) as the analytical technique tool to the determination of the particle size and morphological characterization of the emulsified systems. Three formulations were prepared, differing at the surfactant used, being the emulsified system SE-1 composed by 8.0% (p/p) of oleth-20, the SE-2 by 4.0% (p/p) of oleth-20 and 4.0% (p/p) steareth-21; and the SE-3 by 8.0% (p/p) steareth-21. The preliminary stability was evaluated, such as the ph value and the rheological and thermogravimetric profiles. The presence of the crystalline gel phase was determined from microscopy with polarized light and the droplet size through regular optical microscopy, laser diffraction and OCT. The samples did not present signs of instability throughout the centrifugation and thermal stress tests. The ph value was considered compatible to human skin (4.6 to 5.8). Systems represent the non-Newtonian pseudoplastic rheological behaviour. The SE-1 presented inferior apparent viscosity (223.53 mPa.s) and the hysteresis area (2238.38 Pa/s) statistically equal to SE-2 (2911.19 Pa/s); the SE-2 presented an average value of apparent viscosity (332.20 mPa.s) and, the SE-3, superior values to both parameters (636.40 mPa.s and 4248.97 Pa/s). The oscillating tests verified the elastic character predomination to the three systems. Throughout the thermogravimetry, the profile of the three samples was similar, independent from the kind and concentration of the non-ionic surfactant. The presence of the crystalline gel phase was identified at the three systems, being apparently more pronounced to the SE-2. Either at the microscopic analysis as well as at the laser diffraction were obtained an average size of the particles minor than 6.0 µm. According to OCT results, the particles below 6.0 µm were not possible to be identified and the major particles were suggested be the internal phase of the systems, however new studies should be performed.

Emulsões são sistemas formados quando dois componentes imiscíveis são misturados, na forma de gotículas dispersas numa fase contínua, estabilizados pela ação de emulsificantes, compostos anfifílicos, com afinidades por ambas as fases do sistema. No caso de emulsões de Pickering, o sistema é estabilizado por partículas coloidais sólidas, que adsorvem à interface das gotículas da emulsão. O objetivo desta dissertação foi produzir e caracterizar suspensões de celulose cristalina (CC), celulose amorfa (CA) e de partículas de quitosana (PQ) e avaliar seu potencial de aplicação como únicos compostos estabilizantes em emulsões óleo-em-água. As CC e CA foram produzidas por tratamentos térmico e ácido de celulose microcristalina, respectivamente, enquanto que as PQs foram produzidas por tratamento ácido de quitosana de média massa molecular. Em todos esses casos, os tratamentos foram seguidos de ultra-agitação: 0 (ST), 10000 (UT10), 15000 (UT15) ou 20000 rpm (UT20) por 3 minutos. As suspensões de CC, CA e PQ foram caracterizadas para determinação da distribuição do tamanho de partículas, do potencial zeta e da estabilidade física, e por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e/ou de força atômica. As partículas em pó, produzidas por liofilização, foram submetidas a análises de difração de raios-X, espectroscopia de infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e de colorimetria instrumental. Em função dessas caracterizações, foi estudado o efeito do tipo de partícula estabilizadora (CC, CA ou PQ) sobre o tamanho de gotas, colorimetria instrumental e estabilidade física de emulsões com 20% (v/v) de óleo de soja, sem e com β-caroteno. Observou-se que os tratamentos UT10, UT15 e UT20 provocaram importantes alterações na distribuição de tamanho de partículas, com redução do tamanho médio das partículas, sem efeito significativo da velocidade de agitação. Em relação à PQ, os tratamentos por ultra-agitação não influenciaram o tamanho de partículas, nem quando comparado com suspensões ST. A CC apresentou-se em fragmentos de fibras celulósicas e altamente instáveis em suspensão, com índices de instabilidade próximos a 0,78. A CA apresentou-se em partículas coloidais e agregados irregulares, com estabilidade física razoável em suspensão (0,26). As suspensões de PQ apresentaram grandes estruturas cristalinas de acetato de sódio, junto a partículas coloidais de quitosana, mas altamente estáveis em suspensão aquosa (0,04). De forma geral, o potencial ζ e a estabilidade física das suspensões de CC, CA e PQ não variaram com o tratamento (ST, UT10, UT15 e UT20). Na caracterização das partículas liofilizadas, constatou-se alto índice de cristalinidade da CC (81%), e baixa cristalinidade da CA (42%) e da PQ (40%). Os tratamentos não provocaram modificações consideráveis na estrutura química, analisada por FTIR, e nem na cor instrumental da CC, CA e PQ. Por fim, apenas a PQ foi capaz de produzir e estabilizar emulsões óleo-em-água, não havendo formação de fase creme durante o armazenamento. A adição de 0,005% de β-caroteno à fase lipídica deixou as emulsões estabilizadas por PQ ligeiramente alaranjadas e aumentou sua estabilidade física, sem afetar o tamanho médio de suas gotas (29-32 µm). Portanto, apenas a PQ demonstrou potencial para estabilizar emulsões óleo-em-água, com ou sem β-caroteno. / Emulsions are systems formed when two immiscible components are mixed, presenting dispersed droplets in a continuous phase, stabilized by emulsifiers, amphiphilic compounds, with affinities for both phases of the system. In the case of Pickering emulsions, the system is stabilized by solid colloidal particles, which adsorb at the interface of the emulsion droplets. The objective of this dissertation was to produce and characterize suspensions of crystalline cellulose (CC), amorphous cellulose (CA) and chitosan particles (PQ) and to evaluate its potential as single stabilizing compounds in oil-in-water emulsions. CC and CA were produced by heat and acidic treatments of microcrystalline cellulose, respectively, whereas PQs were produced by acidic treatment of medium molecular weight chitosan, also followed by ultra-stirring treatment. In all cases, the treatments were followed by ultra-stirring: 0 (ST); 10,000 (UT10); 15,000 (UT15) or 20,000 rpm (UT20) for 3 minutes. The suspensions of CC, CA and PQ were characterized for determination of particle size distribution, zeta potential and physical stability, and by scanning electron microscopy and/or atomic force microscopy. The powder particles, produced by freeze-drying, were subjected to analysis by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and instrumental colorimetry. As a function of these characterizations, the effect of the stabilizing particle type (CC, CA or PQ) on droplet size, instrumental colorimetry and physical stability of emulsions with 20% (v/v) soybean oil, without and with β-carotene was studied. It was observed that the treatments UT10, UT15 and UT20 caused important changes in the particle size distribution, with reduction of the mean particle size, without significant effect of the agitation speed. Regarding chitosan particles, ultra-stirring treatments did not influence particle size, neither when compared to suspensions without pretreatment. CC was presented as highly unstable cellulosic fiber fragments in suspension, with instability indexes close to 0.78. CA was presented in colloidal particles and irregular aggregates, with reasonable physical stability in suspension (0.26). The suspensions of PQ showed large crystalline structures of sodium acetate, together with colloidal chitosan particles, but highly stable in aqueous suspension (0.04). In general, the potential ζ and the physical stability of CC, CA and PQ suspensions did not change with the treatment (ST, UT10, UT15 and UT20). In the characterization of the freezedried particles, a high crystallinity index of CC (81%) was observed, whereas CA (42%) and PQ (40%) showed low crystallinities. The treatments neither caused significant changes in the chemical structure, analyzed by FTIR, nor in the instrumental color of CC, CA and PQ. Finally, only PQ was able to produce and stabilize oil-in-water emulsions, with no cream phase formation during storage. Addition of 0.005% β-carotene to the oil phase left the emulsions stabilized by PQ slightly orange and increased the physical stability of the emulsions, without affecting the droplet size of the emulsions (29-32 µm). Therefore, only PQ demonstrated the potential to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions, with or without β-carotene.

O preparo de misturas de areia-asfalto a frio com emulsão asfáltica possui algumas características que dificultam a avaliação de seu desempenho através de ensaios de laboratório. Estas características são atribuídas à emulsão asfáltica que necessita de cuidados adicionais em relação a outros tipos de ligantes betuminosos. Um desses cuidados é o procedimento de cura antes da compactação para favorecer a perda de umidade das misturas. Neste trabalho é avaliada a influência da perda de umidade de três tipos de misturas de areia-asfalto a frio - misturas sem filler, com filler de pedregulho britado e com filler de cimento Portland, sobre os resultados de alguns ensaios de laboratório. Os ensaios usados para esta avaliação foram: dosagens sem cura e com cura antes da compactação das misturas; controle da perda de umidade; ensaios Marshall com variação da perda de umidade e fluência por compressão uniaxial estática. A perda de umidade antes da compactação das misturas mostrou-se um importante fator de influência nos resultados do ensaio Marshall. Porém, o ensaio de fluência por compressão uniaxial estática revelou que mesmo as misturas com melhor desempenho no ensaio Marshall são muito suscetíveis à deformação permanente e com ruptura frágil mesmo sob a ação de tensões axiais relativamente baixas. / The preparation of cold sand-asphalt mixtures with asphalt emulsion has some characteristics that can affect the laboratory evaluation of its performance. These characteristics are attributed to asphaltic emulsion that needs additional cares in relation to others types of bituminous binders. One of these cares is the curing procedure before compaction, to favor moisture loss. In this work the influence of moisture loss on the results of some laboratory tests is evaluated for three cold sand-asphalt mixtures - mixtures without filler, with crushed gravel filler and with portland cement filler. The tests used for this evaluation are: optimum asphalt content with and without curing before the mixtures compaction, moisture loss control, Marshall tests with moisture loss variation and static creep test. Moisture loss before compaction showed to have a clear influence on the results of Marshall tests. However the static creep test revealed that even those mixtures with the best Marshall test performances are very susceptible to permanent deformation and fragile rupture under low axial stress.

<p>Cilj ove doktorske disertacije je dobijanje vi&scaron;estrukih V₁/U/V₂ emulzija kao nosača aktivnih materija u dvostepenom postupku, pri čemu se za drugi korak pripreme koristi tehnika membranskog emulgovanja (ME), na membrani od sinterovanog stakla implementiranoj u ćeliju sa me&scaron;anjem. Proces ME koristi se u svrhu unapređenja karakteristika formiranih emulzija, u smislu bolje kontrole veličine i raspodele veličina formiranih kapi, koje mogu da dovedu do razlika u stepenu inkapsulacije aktivnih materija u unutra&scaron;njoj vodenoj fazi, u odnosu na proces u kome se za drugi korak pripreme emulzija koristi tehnika homogenizacije.<br />Kompletna optimizacija sastava V₁/U emulzija, koja obuhvata određivanje koncentracije hidrofobnog emulgatora (PGPR), lipofobne materije (NaCl) i tikvinog ulja kao sekundarne aktivne komponente, rezultirala je formiranjem stabilnih nanoemulzija sa pobolj&scaron;anim nutritivnim svojstvima. Nutritivno unapređeni emulzioni sistemi optimizovanog sastava kori&scaron;ćeni su za inkapsulaciju primarnih aktivnih komponenata (vodenog i etanolnog ekstrakata belog luka) u cilju za&scaron;tite bioaktivnih sastojaka i maskiranja neprijatnog mirisa i ukusa. Nakon definisanja sastava svih faza vi&scaron;estrukih emulzija, koje ukljuĉuje određivanje tipa hidrofilnog emulgatora i njegove koncentracije, kao i ispitivanja uticaja dodavanja osmotskog regulatora (glukoze) u spolja&scaron;nju vodenu fazu na stabilnost sistema i difuziju lipofoba, formirane su vi&scaron;estruke emulzije sa unetim aktivnim komponentama membranskim emulgovanjem u ćeliji sa me&scaron;anjem. Sistematiĉna karakterizacija membrane od sinter stakla kao ekonomski opravdanog membranskog materijala, dala je mogućnost njegove primene u procesu. Detaljno ispitivanje uticaja procesnih parametara (transmembranskog pritiska i brzine me&scaron;anja) i vi&scaron;ekriterijumska optimizacija procesa ME, dovela su do formiranja vi&scaron;estrukih emulzija sa užom raspodelom veličina kapi, koja je indirektno uticala i na pobolj&scaron;anje zadržavanja inkapsuliranog materijala u unutra&scaron;njosti emulzija tokom vremena, u odnosu na emulzije pripremljene u postupku homogenizacije.</p> / <p style="text-align: justify;">The aim of this doctoral thesis was to prepare multiple W/O/W emulsions with encapsulated active substances in both phases, by a two-step process, where the stirred cell membrane emulsification (ME) process, with a sintered glass filter disk as a membrane, was used as the second step, instead of conventional process (homogenization). The ME process was employed in order to improve the characteristics of the formed emulsions, in terms of better control of the size and droplet size distribution, that can change the encapsulation degree of active ingredients in the internal aqueous phase.<br />The complete optimization of W/O emulsion composition, which includes determination of optimal contents of a hydrophobic emulsifier (PGPR), a lipophobic substance (NaCl) and pumpkin seed oil as an active component of the oil phase, resulted in the formation of stable nanoemulsions with improved nutritional properties. This nutritionally enhanced emulsion was used to encapsulate primary active ingredients (aqueous and ethanol garlic extract), in order to protect instable bioactive compounds of the extracts and mask the unpleasant smell and taste. After defining the composition of all phases of multiple emulsions, which includes determination of a suitable hydrophilic emulsifier and its optimal content, as well as examining the effect of addition of an osmotic regulator (glucose) in the external aqueous phase on the emulsion stability and lipophobe diffusion, multiple emulsions with encapsulated active components were formed by membrane emulsification in the stirred cell. The complete characterization of the sintered glass as an economically favourable membrane material, gave the possibility of its application in the process. Investigation of the influence of process parameters (transmembrane pressure and impeller rotation speed) and multiobjective optimization of ME, led to the formation of the multiple emulsions with a narrow droplet size distribution, which had improved retention of encapsulated material in the internal water phase over time, relative to the emulsions prepared by the homogenization process.</p>

Les émulsions fluorées de Pickering sont étudiées et mises au point dans la technologie demicrofluidique en gouttes pour des applications d’études sur des cellules adhérentes isolées.Les principaux résultats de ce projet sont : l’établissement d’un lien entre la couverture desurface des nanoparticules et la fluidité de l’émulsion de Pickering ; l’établissement deslignes directrices pour la stabilisation des gouttes avec un débit de production élevé et unminimum de déchets de particules ; et la mise en oeuvre d’une plateforme technologiquecomplète pour l’étude des cellules RPE, pour mesurer leur hétérogénéité phénotypique auniveau de la cellule individuelle. / Fluorinated Pickering emulsions are studied and engineered within droplet-based microfluidicstechnology for adherent-cell studies applications. The main findings of this projectinclude: linking the nanoparticles surface coverage to the bulk flowability of the Pickeringemulsion; deriving guidelines for droplet stabilization with high production throughput andminimal particle waste; and implementing the full technological platform for the study ofRPE cells, while unraveling their phenotypic heterogeneity at the single cell level.

Des émulsions particulièrement stables peuvent être formulées à l'aide de particules colloïdales (émulsions dites de Pickering). L'objectif de cette étude est d'accéder à la compréhension des mécanismes de stabilisation des interfaces, ainsi que du lien entre propriétés interfaciales et propriétés macroscopiques des émulsions. Dans ce cadre, la stratégie adoptée repose sur l'utilisation de particules colloïdales dont les caractéristiques peuvent être variées continûment à la fois en amont par la chimie de synthèse (variation de la mouillabilité, de la déformabilité) et in situ par un stimulus (pH, sel, température...). De plus, les émulsions stabilisées par de telles particules deviennent, elles aussi, sensibles aux stimuli et la déstabilisation des émulsions peut être déclenchée à la demande. Les mécanismes d'adsorption, les interactions entre particules aux interfaces et les propriétés résultantes des émulsions sont étudiés. L'établissement de concepts généraux régissant la stabilisation/déstabilisation des émulsions permet d'en contrôler, via la formulation ou le procédé (température, cisaillement), les propriétés d'usage. Enfin les émulsions stabilisées par des particules colloïdales peuvent être utilisées en tant que précurseurs dans la formulation de matériaux plus complexes : ceci est illustré par l'élaboration de capsules à libération thermostimulée.

<p>To estimate the propagation of light in tissue-like optical phantoms (fat emulsions), this thesis utilized the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in combination with Monte Carlo simulations. A method for determining the two-parametric Gegenbauer-kernal phase function was utilized in order to accurately describe the diffuse reflectance from poly-dispersive scattering optical phantoms with small source-detector separations. The method includes the spectral collimated transmission, spatially resolved diffuse reflectance spectra (SRDR) and the inverse technique of matching spectra from Monte Carlo simulations to those measured. An absolute calibration method using polystyrene micro-spheres was utilized to estimate the relation between simulated and measured SRDR intensities. The phase function parameters were comparable with previous studies and were able to model measured spectra with good accuracy. Significant differences between the phase functions for homogenized milk and the nutritive fat emulsions were found.</p><p> </p>

<p>The elastic properties of oil/water/surfactant interfaces play an important role in the phase behaviour of microemulsions and for the stability of macroemulsions. The aim of this thesis is to obtain an understanding of the relationship between the structure of the surfactant molecules, the structure of the interface, and macroscopic interfacial properties. To achieve this aim, we performed molecular simulations of oil/water/surfactant systems. We made a quantitative comparison of various model surfactants to determine how structural changes affect interfacial properties and film rupture. The model consists of water, oil, head, and tail beads, and surfactants are constructed by coupling head and tail beads with harmonic springs. We used a hybrid dissipative particle dynamics-Monte Carlo scheme. The former was used to simulate particle trajectories and the Monte Carlo scheme was used to mimic experimental conditions: bulk-interface phase equilibrium, tensionless interfaces in microemulsions, and the surface force apparatus.</p><p>A detailed comparison of various non-ionic model surfactants showed how structural changes affect interfacial properties:</p><p>Comparison between linear and branched surfactants showed that the efficiency of adsorption is higher for linear surfactants, although branched surfactants are more efficient at a given surface density. Linear surfactants can be more efficient also at the same surface density if the head group is sufficiently soluble in oil, because low head-oil repulsion makes the branched isomers stagger at the interface. The bending rigidity is higher for linear surfactants. Furthermore, branched surfactants make oil droplets coalesce more easily than linear surfactants do, but linear and branched surfactants have roughly the same effect on water droplet coalescence. </p><p>Comparison of linear surfactants with varying chain lengths showed that longer surfactants have a lower surface tension and higher bending rigidity. The increase in rigidity with chain length follows a power law, but the exponent is higher for surfactant monolayers at a fixed density than at a fixed tension. Longer tails and/or denser monolayers influence the stability of water droplets in a positive direction, and the stability of oil droplets in a negative direction. </p><p>Addition of cosurfactant showed that mixed monolayers have a lower bending rigidity than pure monolayers at the same average chain length and tension. Cosurfactants have a negative effect on the stability of water droplets, and a positive effect on the stability of oil droplets.</p> / Paper I reprinted with kind permission of EDP Sciences. Paper III reprinted with kind permission of the American Institute of Physics. Paper IV reprinted with kind permission of the American Physics Society.

The elastic properties of oil/water/surfactant interfaces play an important role in the phase behaviour of microemulsions and for the stability of macroemulsions. The aim of this thesis is to obtain an understanding of the relationship between the structure of the surfactant molecules, the structure of the interface, and macroscopic interfacial properties. To achieve this aim, we performed molecular simulations of oil/water/surfactant systems. We made a quantitative comparison of various model surfactants to determine how structural changes affect interfacial properties and film rupture. The model consists of water, oil, head, and tail beads, and surfactants are constructed by coupling head and tail beads with harmonic springs. We used a hybrid dissipative particle dynamics-Monte Carlo scheme. The former was used to simulate particle trajectories and the Monte Carlo scheme was used to mimic experimental conditions: bulk-interface phase equilibrium, tensionless interfaces in microemulsions, and the surface force apparatus. A detailed comparison of various non-ionic model surfactants showed how structural changes affect interfacial properties: Comparison between linear and branched surfactants showed that the efficiency of adsorption is higher for linear surfactants, although branched surfactants are more efficient at a given surface density. Linear surfactants can be more efficient also at the same surface density if the head group is sufficiently soluble in oil, because low head-oil repulsion makes the branched isomers stagger at the interface. The bending rigidity is higher for linear surfactants. Furthermore, branched surfactants make oil droplets coalesce more easily than linear surfactants do, but linear and branched surfactants have roughly the same effect on water droplet coalescence. Comparison of linear surfactants with varying chain lengths showed that longer surfactants have a lower surface tension and higher bending rigidity. The increase in rigidity with chain length follows a power law, but the exponent is higher for surfactant monolayers at a fixed density than at a fixed tension. Longer tails and/or denser monolayers influence the stability of water droplets in a positive direction, and the stability of oil droplets in a negative direction. Addition of cosurfactant showed that mixed monolayers have a lower bending rigidity than pure monolayers at the same average chain length and tension. Cosurfactants have a negative effect on the stability of water droplets, and a positive effect on the stability of oil droplets. / Paper I reprinted with kind permission of EDP Sciences. Paper III reprinted with kind permission of the American Institute of Physics. Paper IV reprinted with kind permission of the American Physics Society.

The structure of 11S cruciferin has been solved; however, how the individual subunits contribute to its physico-chemical and functional properties are not well known. The cruciferin isoforms in Arabidopsis thaliana, CRUA, CRUB, and CRUC, were investigated with respect to their molecular structures and the relationship of structural features to the physico-chemical and functional properties of cruciferin using homology modeling and various analytical techniques. Comparison of these models revealed that hydrophobicity and electrostatic potential distribution on the surface of the CRUC homotrimer had more favorable interfacial, solubility, and thermal properties than those of CRUA or CRUB. Flavor binding and pepsin digestion were associated with hypervariable regions (HVRs) and center core regions, respectively, moreso for CRUA and CRUB homotrimers than for CRUC. Chemical imaging of a single cell area in wild type (WT) and double-knockout seeds (CRUAbc, CRUaBc, and CRUabC) using synchrotron FT-IR microscopy (amide I band, 1650 cm-1, νC=O) showed that seed storage proteins were concentrated in the cell center and protein storage vacuoles, whereas lipids were closer to the cell wall. Secondary structure components of proteins of double-knockout lines did not show major differences. Changes in protein secondary structure components of pepsin-treated CRUabC (CRUC) mutant were minimal, indicating low enzyme accessibility. A three-step chromatographic procedure allowed isolation of the hexameric form of cruciferin with high purity (>95%). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analysis of the secondary structure of these proteins revealed cruciferins were folded into higher order secondary structures; 44−50% β-sheets and 7−9% α-helices. The relative subunit ratio was approximately 1:3:6 (CRUA:CRUB:CRUC) in the WT cruciferin. The Tm values of purified cruciferin at pH 7.4 (μ = 0.0) were in the order of WT = CRUA = CRUB < CRUC. The order of surface hydrophobicity as determined by ANS (1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate) probe binding was CRUA > CRUB = WT >> CRUC. Intrinsic fluorescence studies revealed a compact molecular structure for the CRUC homohexamer compared to the CRUA and CRUB homohexamers. The order of emulsion forming abilities was CRUA = CRUB > WT > CRUC (no emulsion formation) and the order of heat-induced network structure strength was WT > CRUA = CRUB > CRUC (no gel formation). The inability of CRUC to form gels or emulsions may be attributed to its low surface hydrophobicity and molecular compactness. At pH 2.0, CRUC hexamers dissociated into trimers which allowed the formation of an O/W emulsion and heat-induced network structures. Solubility of cruciferin as a function of pH at low ionic strength gave two minima around pH 4 and 7.4 yielding a “W” shape solubility profile deviating from the typical “U” or “V” shape solubility profile of other 11S globulins. The high ionic strength (μ = 0.5) was not favorable for emulsification, heat-induced gel formation, or solubilization for all cruciferins. Furthermore, the CRUA and CRUB homohexamers exhibited rapid pepsinolysis, while the CRUC homohexamer and WT heterohexamer were digested more slowly. Although fairly well conserved regions were found in the primary structure of these three cruciferin subunits, differences were found in the hypervariable regions and extended loop regions resulting in slight differences in 3D structures and interactions that occur during association to form superstructures, such as hexamers. These differences were reflected in the physico-chemical and techno-functional properties of hexamers and trimers composed of each subunit. In silico predictions for certain functionalities were highly correlated with empirical data from laboratory experiments.