Preparation and characterization of zein/carboxymethyl dextrin nanoparticles to encapsulate curcumin: Physicochemical stability, antioxidant activity and controlled release properties

Gliadin hydrolysates nanoparticles improve the bioavailability and antioxidant activity of berberine

Berberine (BBR) is an alkaloid with multiple physiological activities, but its low bioavailability limits its effectiveness in vivo. This study developed soluble nano delivery carriers using gliadin hydrolysates (GLH) to enhance BBR's bioavailability. The research evaluated the encapsulation efficiency, stability, release characteristics, and antioxidant capacities of GLH-BBR nanoparticles (GLH-BBR NPs) both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that at a 5:1 GLH-to-BBR mass ratio, the encapsulation efficiency reached 74.95 %. GLH-BBR NPs increased DPPH radical scavenging from 19.19 % to 40.28 % and ABTS radical scavenging from 4.26 % to 60.96 %, compared to BBR alone. In vitro tests showed that GLH-BBR NPs inhibited BBR release during gastric digestion and promoted sustained release in the intestine. In addition, GLH-BBR NPs enhanced BBR's bioavailability and in vivo antioxidant activity. These findings support the development of sustainable peptide byproducts for high-quality delivery platforms.

Tailoring curcumin ternary complex nanocrystals via microfluidic mediated assembly: Stability, solubility, bioaccessibility and formation mechanism

Microfluidic technique was employed to precisely modulate both the microenvironment and composition, enabling the dynamic assembly of curcumin, soy protein isolates, and rhamnolipid into ternary nanocrystals through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. As the concentration of rhamnolipid increased, the loading capacity of curcumin in ternary complex nanocrystals rose from 4.23 % to 10.82 %, while its water dispersibility and bioaccessibility enhanced by 141.94- to 664.67-fold and 5.11- to 6.49-fold, respectively. Moreover, the stability of curcumin in ternary complex nanocrystals was significantly enhanced during both storage and exposure to UV light. The longest half-life of curcumin in the nanocrystals increased from 65.39 days to 385.08 days during storage at 25 °C, and from 87.74 min to 198.04 min under UV light. These findings provide important insights for the development of bio-assemblies, and the resulting complex nanocrystals can be used as pigment or bioactivity in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

siRNA-guided dual-targeting nanocarrier for breast cancer treatment

AIMS

This study aimed to develop a thermoplastic polyurethane-oleic acid-based nanosystem (TPU-Ole NPs) incorporating siRNA and curcumin (CUR) to overcome multidrug resistance in breast cancer by silencing the c-myc gene.

METHODS

TPU-Ole and CUR-loaded NPs were prepared via solvent evaporation and coated with poly-L-lysine (PLL) for siRNA attachment. NPs were characterised by dynamic light scattering (DLS) for mean diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP). Encapsulation (EE) and loading efficiencies (LE) were measured by NanoDrop. Release (pH 5.0; 7.4) and storage stability (pH 7.4) were evaluated using the eppendorf method. siRNA binding was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Gene silencing and apoptosis were assessed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Mean diameter, PDI, and ZP of NPs were 170 ± 2 nm, 0.011 ± 0.080, and -27.5 ± 0.11 mV. EE and LE were 75 ± 0.12 and 14.2 ± 0.06%. Sustained release and good stability were observed.

CONCLUSION

siRNA-CUR-NPs efficiently silenced c-myc and induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.

Influence of colla corii asini peptides on zein nanoparticle delivery of Myricetin: structure, function and antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition properties

BACKGROUND

The limited water solubility and instability of myricetin (Myr) restrict its application in functional food. Peptides from colla corii asini (CCAP) have recognized potential for the design of hybrid nanoparticles due to their therapeutic bioactivity. In this study, a dual-protein (animal-plant hybrid) delivery system was developed by the integration of CCAP with Zein (Z), with the objective of enhancing the efficiency of Myr for diabetes management.

RESULTS

Size-exclusion chromatography combined with multi-angle light scattering and zeta potential revealed small- and medium-sized CCAP fragments (83.0-100.5 and 100.5-785.6 Da, 10.0% and 80.0%, respectively; degree of hydrolysis: 78.3%) enabling electrostatic interactions with Z. CCAP-Z-Myr nanoparticles (98.2 nm) exhibited enhanced encapsulation efficiency (91.4%) and thermal stability (endothermic peak shift from 71.8 °C (Z-Myr) to 138 °C (CCAP-Z-Myr)). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed Myr amorphization (disappearance of crystalline peaks at 5.8°, 11.4°, 14.1°, 16.6°, 26.3° and 28.4°) and electrostatic interactions between CCAP and Z (CO peak shift from 1657 cm-1 (Z) to 1633 cm-1 (CCAP-Z), amide II from 1542 cm-1 (Z) to 1536 cm-1 (CCAP-Z)). Antioxidant activity of CCAP-Z-Myr surpassed that of Z-Myr (ABTS: 60.4% versus 25.3%, DPPH: 57.6% versus 33.0%, FRAP: 0.65 versus 0.42, hydroxyl radicals: 50.4% versus 30.2%, superoxide anions: 50.9% versus 29.7%). α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of CCAP-Z-Myr was notably improved compared with Z-Myr (78.5% versus 64.8%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a dual animal-plant protein strategy to enhance hydrophobic bioactive Myr delivery for diabetes management, offering novel insights for functional foods and therapeutic formulations. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ultrasound-assisted oligochitosan/casein complexes stabilized Pickering emulsion: Characterization, stability and its application for lutein delivery

Lutein is a natural pigment with various beneficial biological activities, but its poor water solubility, chemical instability, and low bioavailability limit its application in food processing. In this study, modified casein (CAS-OCS NPs)-based Pickering emulsions were constructed under the combined effect of TGase-type glycation and ultrasound treatment as delivery systems for lutein fortification. Pickering emulsions based on CAS-OCS NPs enhanced the encapsulation efficiency of lutein (87.04 ± 0.30 %). The modification treatments improved the emulsifying properties, environmental stability, and digestive stability, as well as the delivery capability of lutein and antioxidant activity in simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. After glycation modification, the lutein release rate of CAS-OCS NPs-based Pickering emulsions after in vitro digestion was higher than that of untreated casein-based Pickering emulsions, and the maximum release rate was 55.44 ± 0.50 %. Moreover, the CAS-OCS NPs-based Pickering emulsions showed improved lutein bioaccessibility, reaching the maximum value of 58.52 ± 0.52 %. These findings demonstrated the suitability of TGase-type glycation and ultrasound treatment for the preparation of Pickering emulsions to deliver bioactive compounds.

Fabrication and characterization of zein/gelatin/carboxymethyl starch nanoparticles as an efficient delivery vehicle for quercetin with improved stability and bioaccessibility

Quercetin-loaded zein nanoparticles with dual coating of gelatin and carboxymethyl starch were fabricated and characterized. The composite nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable stability over a wide pH range (2.0-8.0) as well as under heat, UV irradiation, and prolonged storage conditions. Fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy analyses indicated that the primary driving forces in the formation of the composite nanoparticles were hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. The quercetin-loaded nanoparticles showed a substantial enhancement in the antioxidant properties and exhibited higher bioaccessibility during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Moreover, the encapsulation efficiency of quercetin was greatly improved to 95.2 % after dual coating, in contrast to 60.5 % for the zein nanoparticle without coating. These results indicate that zein nanoparticles double-coated with gelatin and carboxymethyl starch can significantly improve the stability, antioxidant property, and bioaccessibility of the hydrophobic bioactive substance, which helps to promote its application in the field of functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

Synthesis and characteristics of type 3 resistant waxy corn starch by removal of starch granule surface proteins and heat-moisture treatment

The type 3 resistant waxy corn starch (RS3) was synthesized by removing starch granule surface proteins and subjecting it to heat-moisture treatment at -20°C, 4°C, and 25°C. Upon applying the dual modification, a significant reduction in particle size and in vitro digestion was observed, while the gelatinization enthalpy, relative crystallinity, and resistant starch content increased. Notably, RS3 treated at 4°C demonstrated the lowest digestion rate of 3.00 × 10-4 min-1 among all groups, and its relative crystallinity achieved a peak of 32.65%. Moreover, the gelatinization enthalpy and resistant starch content increased from 0.29 J/g and 77.9% to 0.79 J/g and 83.84%, respectively. These findings indicate that 4°C is the optimal retrogradation temperature for producing dual-modified RS3 with enhanced digestion resistance.

Influence of the maturity on the characteristics of orange-derived extracellular vesicles and their delivery performance for curcumin

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles have considerable potential as natural pharmaceutical and nutraceutical delivery systems. However, the impact of plant maturity on the physicochemical and structural properties of isolated extracellular vesicles is currently unknown. In this work, extracellular vesicles isolated from oranges at different maturity stages were first characterized and compared. Afterwards, polyphenol-load orange juices were successfully prepared by incorporating polyphenols (mainly curcumin) into extracellular vesicles originated from orange juices. Encapsulation in vesicles was found to increase the solubility, stability, bioaccessibility, and antioxidant activity of curcumin, but the effects depended on the maturity of oranges. Specifically, the vesicles from unripe and ripe orange juices were more effective for curcumin delivery than those from overripe orange juice. Conclusively, this study has provided important new information about the optimum maturity for isolating fruit-derived extracellular vesicles. Moreover, the extracellular vesicle-based delivery systems developed in this study may facilitate the design of more effective functional foods and beverages.

The roles of flaxseed gum and its oligosaccharides as stabilizers in zein nanoparticles for apigenin delivery: Stability, antioxidant activity, bioavailability, molecular simulations

Apigenin (Ap) is a bioactive compound, but its application is limited by poor solubility, stability, and bioavailability. This study developed flaxseed gum (FG) and its oligosaccharides (FGOS)-coated zein nanoparticles for Ap delivery (FG/Zein@Ap and FGOS/Zein@Ap). Compared to FG/Zein@Ap, FGOS/Zein@Ap exhibited smaller size, higher zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (∼71.70 %), and loading capacity (∼7.66 %) as evidenced by dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FGOS/Zein@Ap also provided better stability of Ap under various conditions, thereby promoting stronger in vitro antioxidant activity, raising bioaccessibility and bioavailability. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that FGOS interacted more strongly with zein, primarily through hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. This interaction provided greater binding stability throughout the simulation period, compared to FG. This study enhances the understanding of FG and FGOS, providing valuable insights for oligosaccharides-based delivery systems for hydrophobic bioactives.

Insight into the binding mechanism between soy protein isolate-oat β-glucan extrudate and quercetin in nanoparticles by multi-spectroscopic techniques

Nanoparticles prepared by soy protein isolate (SPI)-oat β-glucan (OG) extrudates (E-SPI-OG) could encapsulate quercetin and improve its bioaccessibility. This study systematically investigated the binding mechanism between E-SPI-OG and quercetin in nanoparticles using multi-spectroscopic techniques. The results revealed that fluorescence quenching via static type occurred during the interaction between E-SPI-OG and quercetin, accompanied by the occurrence of non-radiative energy transfer (binding distance was 2.99 nm and less than 7 nm). The interaction between E-SPI-OG and quercetin was an endothermic and spontaneous binding process (ΔH > 0 and ΔG < 0) and mainly driven by hydrophobic interactions (ΔH of 4.92 kJ·mol-1 and ΔS of 121.39 J·mol-1·K-1). Tryptophan and tyrosine residues of E-SPI-OG were involved in binding to quercetin, resulting in a larger binding constant (2.07-5.48 × 105 L·mol-1) and more binding sites (1.15-1.25). Quercetin altered the secondary structure of E-SPI-OG (α-helix content was reduced from 8.9 % to 6.75 %), causing its structure to become loose.

Enhanced bioaccessibility of cyclolinopeptides via zein-cyclodextrin nanoparticles: Simulated gastrointestinal digestion and cellular uptake study

Cyclolinopeptides (CLS) are hydrophobic cyclic peptides in flaxseed with multiple bioactive activities. This study developed zein (Z)-cyclodextrin (CD) binary nanoparticles (NPs) as an oral delivery system for CLS. Z-CD NP had a smaller diameter (Dh) and better encapsulation effect on CLS. Formation of CLS-loaded NPs was driven by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. Presence of CD improved the thermal, pH and storage stabilities of NPs. Besides, CD prevented premature release of CLS in the stomach and enhanced the bioaccessibility of CLS to a maximum of 86.71 % ± 2.20 %. Lipid-raft-mediated endocytosis was involved in the cell uptake of NPs, where the addition of CD significantly facilitated the uptake of NPs. Z-CD NPs also enhanced absorption and reduced secretion of CLS after digestion. Overall, this study provides a simple approach to enhance the oral delivery efficiency of CLS by modulating Z-based NPs with CD.

Enhancing the antifungal efficiency of chitosan nanoparticle via interacting with didymin/flavonoid and its bio-based approaches for postharvest preservation in pear fruit models

In this study, chitosan nanoparticles are used to encapsulate didymin and flavonoids separately using ionic gelation with phytic acid as a cross-linker. Their structural, antioxidant, and antifungal properties were evaluated. Flavonoid (Fs) was extracted from orange peels, while didymin (Did) was qualified in the pure extract using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). UV-vis spectroscopy and FTIR confirmed the interaction of the obtained nanoparticles, which aligned with Surflex-dock findings. These nanoparticles showed a more compact structure and excellent thermal stability. The encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of Did-Cn and Fs-Cn nanoparticles was 55.33 ± 3.51 and 47.40 ± 0.56 %, respectively. The antioxidant assay showed that these nanoparticles highly reduced FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS radicals. The growth inhibition of Penicillium expansum was 37.39 ± 1.07 %, that of Aspergillus westerdijkiae was 44.26 ± 1.05 %, and that of Alternaria alternata was completely inhibited, which fits with clicks of the confocal microscope. These results suggest that food packaging or coatings could incorporate these nanoparticles to prevent fungal spoilage, thereby improving food safety. Meanwhile, using such nanoparticles offers a natural, safe, and effective solution for the pharmaceuticals and/or food industries to extend the freshness and shelf life of fruits and perishable items, reducing reliance on synthetic preservatives.

Curcumin-loaded zein and shellac composite nanoparticles for ulcerative colitis treatment

This study highlights the efficacy of microfluidic technology in creating curcumin (Cur) loaded zein + shellac (Z + S) hybrid nanoparticles (NPs), presenting a promising avenue for enhancing Cur's availability in the food industry, especially in beverages, and positioning it as a potent antioxidant strategy for applications such as the treatment of enteritis. The study revealed that an increase in the proportion of shellac led to a gradual increase in the particle size of Z + S NPs, while the polydispersity index (PDI) initially decreasing and then increasing. When Cur is encapsulated, an increase in the proportion of shellac resulted in a gradual decrease in particle size and PDI, accompanied by an increase in encapsulation efficiency (EE). When the ratio of zein and shellac remained constant, elevating the Cur concentration led to a gradual decrease in EE and a gradual increase in drug loading. The consistently low Zeta potential (below -20 mV) confirmed the colloidal stability of the NPs, making them suitable for prolonged storage. The NPs exhibited excellent biocompatibility with normal cells and demonstrated effective free radical scavenging capabilities. Mixing of shellac and zein regulated the release profile of Cur from the NPs, mapping the food fate in human body, enhancing the treatment efficacy of ulcerative colitis. In vivo experiment demonstrated that the NPs are able to effectively relieve the dextran sulphate sodium induced enteritis, providing a promising approach for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Effects of alcalase hydrolysis combined with TGase-type glycosylation of self-assembled zein for curcumin delivery: Stability, bioavailability, and antioxidant properties

In this study, zein was hydrolyzed by alcalase and conjugated to oligochitosan under transglutaminase (TGase) catalysis to construct novel self-assembly complex for the delivery of curcumin. The effects of enzyme hydrolysis and TGase-type glycosylation of zein/curcumin on the stability, bioavailability, and antioxidant properties were evaluated. The obtained glycosylated zein hydrolysate had a uniform distribution and small particle sizes. Structural analysis revealed that the primary forces within the curcumin-loaded glycosylated zein hydrolysate complex were electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions. The prepared complex demonstrated excellent encapsulation efficiency for curcumin (82.19 %). Oligochitosan formed a protective layer around zein hydrolysate/curcumin complex through covalent binding, effectively resisting the degradation caused by gastric enzymes. This significantly increased the retention rate during the undigested stage and facilitated the release of curcumin in the intestine, thereby enhancing the bioavailability. This study offers new insights into using hydrolysis combined with TGase-type glycosylation of protein as a delivery system to protect hydrophobic nutrients.

Construction, characterization and application of rutin loaded zein - Carboxymethyl starch sodium nanoparticles

In this paper, zein-carboxymethyl starch (CMS) nanoparticles were prepared by antisolvent precipitation method to improve the stability of rutin (RT). The encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, oxidation resistance, structural properties were evaluated. The results showed that electrostatic, hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction were the main driving forces for the formation of nanoparticles. The size and PDI of all prepared zein-RT-CMS nanoparticles were <190 nm and 0.3, respectively, and the zeta-potential was about -25 mV. When zein /RT/CMS was 1:0.02:3, the maximum encapsulation rate of nanoparticles reached 86.2 %. The constructed stabilized RT significantly improved the antioxidant activity of free RT, and the antioxidant activity of RT was up to 88 %. In addition, a high temperature and low humidity simulation system with asparagine/glucose as the reaction substrate was established to study the inhibitory effect of zein- RT- CMS carrier on the production of acrylamide. The results showed that the zein-CMS carrier could improve the thermal stability of RT and inhibit the formation rate of acrylamide in thermal processing. When zein /RT/CMS was 1:0.02:3, the inhibition rate of acrylamide could reach 33.51 %, thus reducing acrylamide formation in thermal processing.

Loading curcumin on hyperbranched polymers functionalized Zein via the phenol-yne click reaction as pH-responsive drug delivery system for chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy

Zein and its complexes have been considered as promising carriers for encapsulating and delivering various biological active ingredients, however, there still have some issues about Zein-based drug delivery systems should be considered, including poor colloidal stability, low drug encapsulation efficiency as well as rapid initial drug release, and uncontrollable release. In this work, we reported for the first time that hyperbranched polymers (HPG) functionalized Zein with terminal alkyne (Zein-HPG-PA) can be used for loading anticancer agent curcumin (CUR) via a facile phenol-yne click reaction. The resultant product (Zein-HPG-PA@CUR) displays high drug loading capacity, small particle size and excellent water dispersibility. More importantly, almost no CUR was released from Zein-HPG-PA@CUR under pH 7.4 and the cargo will be gradually released under acidic environment. As compared with free CUR, Zein-HPG-PA@CUR shows considerable cytotoxicity towards MDA-MB-231 cells under dark environment, while the cytotoxicity was significantly enhanced upon light-irradiation, implying great potential of Zein-HPG-PA@CUR for cancer treatment. Considered the above aspects, we believe that this work should be of significant impact on the biomedical applications of Zein, especially for fabrication of Zein-based responsive drug delivery systems.

Preparation and characterization of quercetin-loaded nanoparticles based on soy protein isolate-oat β-glucan extrudates: Interaction, structure, stability, and in vitro release properties

Soy protein isolate (SPI)-oat β-glucan (OG) conjugates produced by extrusion were used to prepare nanoparticle carriers for improving quercetin stability. The 70-130 °C SPI-OG extrudate nanoparticles exhibited higher encapsulation efficiency (EE, 75.63-80.30 %) and loading capacity (LC, 46.22-50.83 %), especially 90°C (EE and LC were 80.30 % and 50.83 %, respectively) and 110 °C (EE and LC were 79.84 % and 49.26 %, respectively) SPI-OG extrudate nanoparticles. The average particle size of quercetin-loaded SPI-OG extrudate nanoparticles ranged from 185.77 nm to 244.07 nm. SPI-OG extrudates around quercetin were tightly bound to it through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, resulting in the structure of quercetin to change from crystalline state to amorphous state. Stability results of quercetin indicated that SPI-OG extrudate nanoparticles could more effectively protect the antioxidant activity of quercetin and improve its storage stability (quercetin retention of 31.89-39.82 % after 21 days). Meanwhile, SPI-OG extrudate nanoparticles mainly continuously released quercetin during the simulated intestinal digestion (cumulative release rate was 18.99-21.10 % in intestinal stage). These results indicated that SPI-OG extrudate nanoparticles could effectively encapsulate quercetin and prolong its biological activity, thus could be applied in nutritional supplements and functional foods.

Fabrication and characterization of lysozyme fibrils/Zein complexes for resveratrol encapsulation: Improving stability, antioxidant and antibacterial activities

Resveratrol (Res), a naturally occurring hydrophobic polyphenol, boasts numerous health-promoting bio-functionalities. However, its limited water solubility and stability impede further applications in the food industry. This study aims to address these challenges by fabricating stable Res-loaded lysozyme fibrils/zein (Ly-F/Z) complexes. The complexes were prepared using an antisolvent precipitation method. The interaction mechanism between Ly-F and zein was elucidated through dynamic light scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and dissociative experiments, revealing the involvement of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic forces and hydrophobic interactions in complex formation. The Ly-F/Z complexes were utilized to encapsulate Res, resulting in an encapsulation efficiency of 82.58 %. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the successful encapsulation of Res within Ly-F/Z complexes, presenting an amorphous state. The Ly-F/Z-Res complexes exhibited a "fruit tree" morphology with dense fruit, showcasing remarkable stability, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Consequently, the Ly-F/Z complexes can serve as promising delivery systems for Res in functional foods.

Sustainable development of fishery resources: Precipitation of protein from surimi rinsing wastewater by low-temperature plasma

This study aimed to determine the impact of low-temperature plasma (LTP) on the protein stability and composition in surimi rinsing wastewater (SRW). When SRW (300 mL) was treated with LTP at a power of 420 W and a flow rate of 1.1 L/min for 106 s, the protein precipitation was 76.04 %, the pH was close to the estimated value of the isoelectric point (pI). In comparison with the pI precipitation treatment, non-precipitated proteins in the SRW after LTP precipitation treatment showed significant changes in amino acids susceptible to oxidation but had minor changes in the hydrophobic amino acid content. LTP showed a markedly differentiated response to the different protein types in the SRW, increasing the relative amounts of several enzyme proteins in the non-precipitated protein. The combined effect of the active ingredients provided by LTP on protein conformation and hydrophobic interactions may be responsible for this 'screening' phenomenon.

Mussel-inspired highly adhesive carrageenan-based coatings with self-activating enhanced activity for meat preservation

In order to solve the problem of poor adhesion of polysaccharide coatings in meat storage and inconvenient secondary spraying, which leads to poor preservation effect, this study was inspired by the property of mussels to adhere firmly to surfaces and design a bioactive composite coating. Here, curcumin-loaded zein nanoparticles (CZ NPs) were successfully prepared and incorporated into carrageenan-based biocomposite coatings for chilled meat preservation. The prepared curcumin-zein-riboflavin-carrageenan (CZRC) coating featured smooth spherical morphology and the solubility of hydrophobic substances, the adhesion and stability of the composite coating were respectively improved to 3.8 and 6 times compared to CZ NPs. The CZRC coating also shows desirable antioxidant activity (89.78 ± 4.8 % on DPPH and 91.40 ± 2.1 % on ABTS+) and the treatment based on CZRC coating under light irradiation reduced Pseudomonas fragi (by 2.02 log CFU/mL) and Brochothrix thermosphacta (by 4.35 log CFU/mL), which prolonged the shelf life of lamb and pork to 1.8 and 2.3 times at 4 °C storage condition. This work provides a viable strategy for the development of highly adhesive coatings with self-activation enhanced activity to achieve long-lasting preservation.

Peanut and Soy Protein-Based Emulsion Gels Loaded with Curcumin as a New Fat Substitute in Sausages: A Comparative Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the complete or partial substitution (0, 20, 40, and 100%) of the pork backfat in prepared sausage with protein emulsion gels loaded with curcumin. The effects of three protein emulsion gels (i.e., peanut proteins, ultrasound-modified peanut proteins, and soy proteins) on sausage characteristics (cooking loss, textural properties, microstructure, sensory characteristics, and antioxidant activity) were investigated and compared using a one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple tests. The results revealed that the addition of each emulsion gel reduced cooking loss and improved the textural properties of the sausages in a dose-dependent manner. When 20% of pork backfat was substituted with untreated or ultrasound-modified peanut protein emulsion gel (PPEG), cooking loss decreased to a greater extent than when soy protein emulsion gel (SPEG) was used. However, the latter yielded higher cohesiveness and resilience at the same substitution levels. Compared with untreated PPEG, the sausages containing modified PPEG (at 200 W for 20 min) had significantly greater resilience and a denser microstructure. In addition, when 100% of pork backfat was substituted with modified PPEG, the sausages had desirable sensory characteristics. All sausages enriched with protein emulsion gels loaded with curcumin presented higher DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacities than the control sausages. The sausages prepared with the modified PPEG had the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH: 37.43 ± 0.35%; ABTS: 39.48 ± 0.50%; TBARS: 0.65 ± 0.05 mg MDA/Kg), which may be attributed to the increased stability of curcumin in the modified PPEG with a denser network structure. Therefore, ultrasound-modified PPEG loaded with curcumin can be used as a new fat substitute in functional sausages or other healthy meat products.

Fabrication and characterization of novel TGase-mediated glycosylated whey protein isolate nanoparticles for curcumin delivery

The aim of this study was to fabricate novel transglutaminase (TGase)-mediated glycosylated whey protein isolate (WPI) nanoparticles for the encapsulation and delivery of curcumin. The influences of glycosylation on the physiochemical properties, stability, bioavailability, and antioxidant properties of WPI nanoparticles loaded with curcumin were investigated. Composite nanoparticles exhibited uniform distribution and small particle sizes. The main driving forces for the formation of curcumin nanoparticles were electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions. The encapsulation and loading efficiency of curcumin after TGase-type glycosylation were significantly increased in comparison to WPI-curcumin nanoparticles. Glycosylated WPI-curcumin nanoparticles had stronger antioxidant properties and stability to resist external environmental changes than WPI-curcumin nanoparticles. In addition, glycosylated WPI-curcumin nanoparticles showed a controlled release and enhanced curcumin bioavailability in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. This study provides novel insights for self-assembled glycosylated protein nanoparticles as delivery systems for protecting hydrophobic nutrients.

Evolution of self-assembled amphiphilic colloidal particles in strong-flavor Chinese baijiu

This study proposed the evolution of self-assembled amphiphilic colloidal particles in Strong-Flavor (SF) Baijiu based on Ostwald ripening for the first time. The evolution process occurs in two stages: disordered amphiphilic molecules self-assemble into small colloidal particles and subsequently undergo Oswald ripening to form larger hydrophobic particles. Microscopic observations revealed the average size of oil-like spherical colloidal particles in Baijiu increased from 1.86 μm to 2.96 μm while the number of particles decreased by 39.50% during the 16-year cellaring process of SF Baijiu, consistent with the particle size trend observed via laser scattering. During fusion process, the charge-to-mass ratio of positively charged colloidal particles decreased, leading ζ-potential decreased from 23.7 mV to 4.66 mV within 16 years of storage. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy approach tracked the unidirectional variation in the dielectric constant during evolution of SF Baijiu, reflecting the gradual expansion of colloidal particles, which aligns with the evolution trend observed in molecular dynamics simulations. By integrating direct microscopic observations of amphiphilic colloidal particles with electrochemical techniques, the evolution of Baijiu samples is capable to be evaluated in-situ, laying the foundation for intelligent Baijiu aging monitoring technology.

Preparation and Characterization of Small-Size and Strong Antioxidant Nanocarriers to Enhance the Stability and Bioactivity of Curcumin

The purpose of this study was to design nanocarriers with small-size and antioxidant properties for the effective encapsulation of curcumin. Here, procyanidins, vanillin, and amino acids were used to successfully prepare nanocarriers of a controllable size in the range of 328~953 nm and to endow antioxidant ability based on a one-step self-assembly method. The reaction involved a Mannich reaction on the phenolic hydroxyl groups of procyanidins, aldehyde groups of vanillin, and amino groups of amino acids. Subsequently, curcumin nanoparticles were prepared by loading curcumin with this nanocarrier, and the encapsulation efficiency of curcumin was 85.97%. Compared with free curcumin, the antioxidant capacity and photothermal stability of the embedded curcumin were significantly improved, and it could be slowly released into simulated digestive fluid. Moreover, using the corticosterone-induced PC12 cell injury model, the cell viability increased by 23.77% after the intervention of curcumin nanoparticles, and the cellular antioxidant capacity was also significantly improved. The nanoparticles prepared in this work can effectively improve the solubility, stability, and bioactivity of curcumin, which provides a reference for the embedding and delivery of other hydrophobic bioactive compounds.

Synergistic growth suppression of Fusarium oxysporum MLY127 through Dimethachlon Nanoencapsulation and co-application with Bacillus velezensis MLY71

Fusarium oxysporum is a destructive plant pathogen with robust survival mechanisms, complicating control efforts. This study aimed to develop nanoformulated fungicides, screen antagonistic bacteria, and evaluate their combined efficacy. A novel self-emulsifying nanoemulsion (DZW) was formulated using zein and benzaldehyde-modified wheat gluten (BgWG) as carriers for dimethachlon (DTN). The preparation process optimized material ratios and emulsification techniques. Concurrently, antagonistic bacterial strains against F. oxysporum were screened via the plate standoff method, identifying Bacillus velezensis MLY71 as both antagonistic and compatible with DTN. The DZW nanoemulsion achieved a particle size of 93.22 nm, an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 90.57%, and a DTN loading capacity (LC) of 67.09%, with sustained release over 96 h. The combination of DTN (0.04 mg·mL⁻¹) and B. velezensis MLY71 (1 × 10⁴ CFU·mL⁻¹) achieved a 76.66% inhibition rate against F. oxysporum MLY127, 1.71 times greater than DTN alone, indicating significant synergy. At a DTN concentration of 0.20 mg·mL⁻¹, the combination of DZW and MLY71 showed a synergy coefficient of 1.33. This synergy was also observed in soil environments, indicating its adaptability for controlling soil-borne pathogens. As sustainable management continues to gain attention in agricultural disease control, this study offers a promising strategy for achieving higher efficacy with the same fungicide dose or satisfactory control with reduced fungicide application. The excellent drug-loading performance of BgWG also expanded the applications of the wheat by-product gluten.

Co-encapsulation of vitamins B6 and B12 using zein/gum arabic nanocarriers for enhanced stability, bioaccessibility, and oral bioavailability

The present study aimed to fabricate a co-deliver system using zein/gum arabic (GA) polymers for enhanced stability and bioavailability of vitamins (B6 and B12). The anti-solvent evaporation method was used for the preparation of PC-ZG NPs (pyridoxine-cyanocobalamin zein-GA nanoparticles). The process conditions were statistically optimized using the design of Box-Behnken. The optimized conditions produced small-sized particles (∼170 nm) with high zeta potential (-31 mV) and efficient encapsulation for pyridoxine (61.6%) and cyanocobalamin (56.3%). Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffractometry, and Thermogravimetric analysis results confirmed that the developed formulation had a roughly spherical shape and an amorphous character with better thermal stability compared to free-forms of the vitamins. The results of the storage study showed no significant changes in nanoparticle size at 4, 25, and 37°C over a 90-day period. However, a slight variation in retention of the vitamins was observed during the initial period. The bioaccessibility of both the vitamins from PC-ZG NPs ranged between 56% and 62% post 6 h simulated digestion. In Caco-2 cells, the cellular uptake of vitamins was higher from nanoforms compared to the free-forms. Further, oral administration of PC-ZG NPs in rats exhibited 4.8- and 2.2-fold increases in relative bioavailability of vitamins B6 and B12, respectively. A significant reduction of plasma homocysteine level (p ˂ 0.05) in the treated group was also observed. Together, these results suggest that the developed nanoformulation has improved physicochemical properties with enhanced bioavailability and, hence, could be used as an effective delivery system for the vitamins in food and nutraceutical products.

Lignin nanoparticle as a vehicle to load, release, and improve the stability and antioxidant activity of curcumin: Comparison between dropping and pouring regimes

Curcumin (Cur) was loaded in lignin nanoparticles (LNP) via an antisolvent method by pouring (P-) and dropping (D-) regimes, respectively, and Cur-loaded LNP (Cur/LNP) were comparatively characterized. The results indicated that P-Cur/LNP (62-92 nm) was much smaller than D-Cur/LNP (134-139 nm). For both regimes, their maximum loading efficiencies were comparable (91 ± 3%), while dropping regime (236.2 mg/g) demonstrated a higher loading capacity than pouring regime (174.6 mg/g). In both regimes, Cur was loaded in an amorphous form via the hydrophobic, hydrogen-bonding, and π-π interactions with lignin matrix and it demonstrated a controlled release in in vitro digestion test. In comparison, Cur in D-Cur/LNP showed higher stabilities against photodegradation, thermal treatment, and 30-d storage than that in P-Cur/LNP, while P-Cur/LNP concluded a higher antioxidant activity than D-Cur/LNP. The present findings attested that LNP was a valuable tool to stabilize and controlled release of lipophilic phytochemicals as well as improve their bioactivities.

Formation mechanism and stability of ternary nanoparticles based on Mesona chinensis polysaccharides-walnut protein hydrolysates for icariin delivery

Polysaccharide-protein complexes have proven to be effective nano-carrier with high stability. In this work, walnut protein hydrolysates (WPH) prepared through limited enzymolysis were considered as encapsulation carriers to solve the limited water solubility and bioavailability of icariin, a bioactive compound in functional foods. The pH-driven method was employed to prepare WPH-icariin nanoparticles (WPHI). Their characterization, formation, digestive properties, and immunomodulatory activity were investigated. The results showed that WPHI possessed superior encapsulation efficiency (82.35 %) and loading capacity (137.2 μg/mg) for icariin. Its water solubility (1647 μg/mL) and bioavailability (94.86 %) were significantly improved, by over 80 and 30 times, respectively. The combination of WPH with icariin resulted in the formation of irregular lamellar structure through hydrophobic, electrostatic, and disulfide bonds interactions. Moreover, WPHI demonstrated significant immunomodulatory activity, and thermal and digestive stabilities (> 93 %), but extremely poor pH and salt tolerance. To address these issues, Mesona chinensis polysaccharide (MCP)-WPHI was prepared. The incorporation of MCP significantly improved the physicochemical stability of nanoparticles. Compared to WPHI, MCP-WPHI showed improved pH, thermal, salt tolerance (0-250 mM), and storage stability. This study expanded the application of WPH and MCP in delivering icariin while providing new insights for developing multifunctional high-nutritional-quality food ingredients.

Pickering emulsions stabilized by prolamin-based proteins as innovative carriers of bioactive compounds

Pickering emulsions (PEs) can be used as efficient carriers for encapsulation and controlled release of different bioactive compounds. Recent research has revealed the potential of prolamins in development of nanoparticle- and emulsion-based carriers which can improve the stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Prolamin-based particles have been effectively used as stabilizers of various PEs including single PEs, high internal phase PEs, multiple PEs, novel triphasic PEs, and PE gels due to their tunable self-assembly behaviors. Prolamin particles can be fabricated via different techniques including anti-solvent precipitation, dissolution followed by pH adjustment, heating, and ion induced aggregation. Particles fabricated from prolamins alone or in combination with other hydrocolloids or polyphenols have also been used for stabilization of different PEs which were shown to be effective carriers for food bioactives, providing improved stability and functionality. This article covers the recent advances in various PEs stabilized by prolamin particles as innovative carriers for bioactive ingredients. Strategies applied for fabrication of prolamin particles and prolamin-based carriers are discussed. Emerging techno-functional applications of prolamin-based PEs and possible challenges are also highlighted.

Evaluating the binding mechanism, structural changes and stability of ternary complexes formed by the interaction of folic acid with whey protein concentrate-80 and L-ascorbyl 6-palmitate

In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms associated with the stabilizing effects of whey protein concentrate-80 (WPC80) and L-ascorbyl 6-palmitate (LAP) on folic acid (FA). Multispectral techniques show that WPC80 binds to FA and LAP mainly through hydrophobic interactions, and that energy is transferred from WPC80 to FA and LAP in a nonradiative form (FA/LAP); The combination of FA/LAP resulted in a change in the conformation and secondary structure content of WPC80, an increase in the absolute zeta potential of the system, and a shift in the particle size distribution towards smaller sizes. The compound system exhibits strengthened antioxidant properties and favorable binding properties. Besides, WPC80 improves the storage stability of FA under different conditions. These results demonstrated that the ternary complex formed by FA co-binding with WPC80 and LAP is an effective way to improve the stability against of FA.

Charge-converting nanocarriers: Phosphorylated polysaccharide coatings for overcoming intestinal barriers

For the design of charge-converting nanocarriers (NCs), cationic lipid-based NCs containing curcumin as model drug were coated with phosphorylated starch (NC-SP) and phosphorylated dextran (NC-DP). NCs showed a drug encapsulation efficiency of 94 % and had a mean size of 175 to 180 nm. The recorded zeta potential of the core NC (cNC) was +8.3 mV, whereas it reversed to -10.6 mV and -7.4 mV after decorating with SP and DP, respectively. Furthermore, a 3-fold higher amount of curcumin having been incorporated in these NCs remained stable within 2 h of UV exposure indicating a photoprotective effect of this delivery system. Charge-converting properties were confirmed by cleavage with intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) and resulted in a zeta potential shift of Δ15.4 mV for NC-SP and Δ11.2 mV for NC-DP. NC-SP and NC-DP showed enhanced mucus permeating properties compared to cNC, that were additionally confirmed by an up to 2.2-fold improved cellular uptake on mucus secreting Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells. According to these results, NC-SP and NC-DP coatings hold promise as a viable and efficient strategy for charge-converting NCs.

Anti-solvent precipitation for encapsulation of oyster protein hydrolysate nanoparticles: Effect on off-flavor elimination and bioaccessibility

In this study, to investigate the potential for delivering bioactive substances, various cereal proteoglycan nanoparticles were prepared using anti-solvent precipitation for the delivery of oyster protein hydrolysate (OPH). The hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction were the driving forces for OPH embedding. OPH-Loaded Zein/NaCas/Gum Arabic composite nanoparticles could self-assemble into spherical (191 nm) particles with strong stability, uniform distribution (about PDI = 0.2), and high negative charge (about -28 mV). The secondary structure of OPH-Loaded zein was converted from α-helix to random coil with heat treatment. The off-flavor, including (E, E)-2,4-heptadienal, octadecane, and 1-octanol in OPH-Loaded Zein nanoparticles significantly decreased. Furthermore, these nanoparticles containing OPH had excellent oxidation resistance, in vitro digestibility, and non-toxicity in Caco-2 and HT-29 cells. Overall, this work provides an efficient strategy for OPH delivery, suggesting that OPH could be ingested as a nutraceutical in powder form while also promoting the development of high-flavor-quality oyster products.

Tea saponin-Zein binary complex as a quercetin delivery vehicle: preparation, characterization, and functional evaluation

In this study, in order to solve the application problems of poor water solubility and low bioavailability of quercetin, we prepared a nano-delivery system with core-shell structure by anti-solvent method, including a hydrophilic shell composed of tea saponin and a hydrophobic core composed of Zein, which was used to improve the delivery efficiency and biological activity of quercetin. Through the optimal experiments, the loading rate and encapsulation rate of nanoparticles reached 89.41 % and 7.94 % respectively. And the water solubility of quercetin is improved by 30.16 times. At the same time, the quercetin acted with Zein through non-covalent interaction and destroyed its spatial network through structural characterization, while tea saponin covered the surface of Zein through electrostatic interaction, making it change into amorphous state. In addition, the addition of tea saponin makes the nanoparticles remain stable under the changes of external environment. During simulating gastrointestinal digestion procedure, ZQTNPs has higher release rate and bioavailability than free quercetin. Importantly, ZQTNPs can overcome the limitations of a single substance through synergy. These results will promote the innovative development of quercetin precision nutrition delivery system.

Preparation of curcumin-loaded chitosan/lecithin nanoparticles with increased anti-oxidant activity and in vivo bioavailability

As a natural polyphenol, curcumin (Cur) has exhibited a range of bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-infection properties. However, the chemical instability and low water solubility of Cur hinder its wide application. Herein, Cur-loaded chitosan/lecithin nanoparticles (CCL NPs) were prepared by the electrostatic self-assembly method. The prepared CCL NPs showed a small particle size (122.86 ± 1.53 nm) with homogeneous distribution (PDI = 0.17 ± 0.01). The high EE (79.34 ± 2.93 %) and LC (9.33 ± 0.34 %) indicated that most of Cur was encapsulated in CCL NPs. Meanwhile, the Cur was released from CCL NPs in a quick and sustained way after being exposed to simulated gastrointestinal fluids. The CCL NPs displayed superior anti-oxidant activity than that of free Cur. Moreover, the in vivo pharmacokinetic studies showed that the CCL NPs could lead to a ~ 2.64-fold increase in oral bioavailability compared with that of free Cur. All these findings indicated that the formation of CCL NPs would be a promising platform to deliver Cur in the food industry.

Construction of quaternary ammonium chitosan-coated protein nanoparticles as novel delivery system for curcumin: Characterization, stability, antioxidant activity and bio-accessibility

This research aimed to develop a novel, effective, and stable delivery system based on zein (ZE), sodium caseinate (SC), and quaternary ammonium chitosan (HACC) for curcumin (CUR). The pH-driven self-assembly combined with electrostatic deposition methods were employed to construct CUR-loaded ZE-SC nanoparticles with HACC coating (ZE-SC@HACC). The optimized nanocomposite was prepared at ZE:SC:HACC:CUR mass ratios of 1:1:2:0.1, and it had encapsulation efficiency of 89.3%, average diameter of 218.2 nm, and ζ-potential of 40.7 mV. The assembly of composites and encapsulation of CUR were facilitated primarily by hydrophobic, hydrogen-bonding, and electrostatic interactions. Physicochemical stability analysis revealed that HACC coating dramatically enhanced ZE-SC nanoparticles' colloidal stability and CUR's resistance to chemical degradation. Additionally, antioxidant activity and simulated digestion results indicated that CUR-ZE-SC@HACC nanoparticles showed higher free radical scavenging capacity and bio-accessibility of CUR than CUR-ZE-SC nanoparticles and free CUR. Therefore, the ZE-SC@HACC nanocomposite is an effective and viable delivery system for CUR.

A comprehensive review of plant-derived salt substitutes: Classification, mechanism, and application

The diseases caused by excessive sodium intake derived from NaCl consumption have attracted widespread attention worldwide, and many researchers are committed to finding suitable ways to reduce sodium intake during the dietary process. Salt substitute is considered an effective way to reduce sodium intake by replacing all/part of NaCl in food without reducing the saltiness while minimizing the impact on the taste and acceptability of the food. Plant-derived natural ingredients are generally considered safe and reliable, and extensive research has shown that certain plant extracts or specific components are effective salt substitutes, which can also give food additional health benefits. However, these plant-derived salt substitutes (PSS) have not been systematically recognized by the public and have not been well adopted in the food industry. Therefore, a comprehensive review of PSS, including its material basis, flavor characteristics, and taste mechanism is helpful for a deeper understanding of PSS, accelerating its research and development, and promoting its application.

Co-encapsulation of quercetin and resveratrol: Comparison in different layers of zein-carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticles

Three nanoparticles were fabricated for the co-delivery of quercetin and resveratrol. Nanoparticles consisted of a zein and carboxymethyl cellulose assembled using antisolvent precipitation/layer-by-layer deposition method. Nanoparticles contained quercetin in the core and resveratrol in the shell, resveratrol in the core and quercetin in the shell or both quercetin and resveratrol in the core. The particle sizes of nanoparticles were 280.4, 214.8, and 181.8 nm, respectively. Zeta-potential was about -50 mV and PDI was about 0.3. The different positions of polyphenol distribution nanoparticles could reduce the competition between the two polyphenols, the encapsulation rate, loading rate and storage stability reached up to 91.7 %, 5.37 % and 97.1 %, respectively. FT-IR showed that hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were the main driving forces of nanoparticle assembly. XRD showed that two polyphenols were successfully encapsulated in nanoparticles. TGA showed that distributing the nanoparticles in different layers would enhance thermal stability. TEM and SEM showed that polysaccharides attached to the surface of nanoparticles formed a core-shell structure with uniform particle size. All three nanoparticles could release two polyphenols slowly in simulated gastrointestinal digestion, Korsmeyer-Peppas was the most suitable kinetic release model. Therefore, biopolymer-based nanocarriers can be created to enhance the loading, stability, and bioaccessibility of co-encapsulated nutraceuticals.

Preparation and Characterization Study of Zein-Sodium Caseinate Nanoparticle Delivery Systems Loaded with Allicin

Allicin, as a natural antibacterial active substance from plants, has great medical and health care value. However, due to its poor stability, its application in the field of food and medicine is limited. So, in this paper, allicin-zein-sodium caseinate composite nanoparticles (zein-Ali-SC) were prepared by antisolvent precipitation and electrostatic deposition. Through the analysis of the particle size, ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading rate (LC) and microstructure, the optimum preparation conditions for composite nanoparticles were obtained. The mechanism of its formation was studied by fluorescence spectrum, Fourier infrared spectrum (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The stability study results showed that the particle size of composite nanoparticles was less than 200 nm and its PDI was less than 0.3 under different NaCl concentrations and heating conditions, showing good stability. When stored at 4 °C for 21 days, the retention rate of allicin reached 61.67%, which was 52.9% higher than that of free allicin. After freeze-drying and reheating, the nanoparticles showed good redispersibility; meanwhile, antioxidant experiments showed that, compared with free allicin, the nanoparticles had stronger scavenging ability of free radicals, which provided a new idea for improving the stability technology and bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

Zein/fucoidan-coated phytol nanoliposome: preparation, characterization, physicochemical stability, in vitro release, and antioxidant activity

BACKGROUND

To improve phytol bioavailability, a novel method of magnetic stirring and high-pressure homogenization (HPH) combination was used to prepare zein/fucoidan-coated phytol nanoliposomes (P-NL-ZF). The characterization, the simulated in vitro digestion, and the antioxidant activity of these phytol nanoliposomes from the different processes have been studied.

RESULTS

Based on the results of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis, P-NL-ZF prepared through the combination of magnetic stirring and HPH exhibited superior encapsulation efficiency at 76.19% and demonstrated exceptional physicochemical stability under a series of conditions, including storage, pH, and ionic in comparison to single method. It was further confirmed that P-NL-ZF by magnetic stirring and HPH displayed a uniform distribution and regular shape through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding were the primary driving forces for the formation of composite nanoliposomes. Additionally, an in vitro digestion study revealed that multilayer composite nanoliposomes displayed significant and favorable slow-release properties (58.21%) under gastrointestinal conditions compared with traditional nanoliposomes (82.36%) and free phytol (89.73%). The assessments of chemical and cell-based antioxidant activities demonstrated that the coating of zein/fucoidan on phytol nanoliposomes resulted in enhanced effectiveness in scavenging activity of ABTS free radical and hydroxyl radical and mitigating oxidative damage to HepG2 cells.

CONCLUSION

Based on our studies, the promising delivery carrier of zein/fucoidan-coated nanoliposomes is contributed to the encapsulation of hydrophobic natural products and enhancement of their biological activity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fabrication and characterization of polydopamine-mediated zein-based nanoparticle for delivery of bioactive molecules

In this study, a combination of whey protein (hydrophilic coating) and polydopamine (crosslinking agent) was used to improve the stability and functionality of quercetin-loaded zein nanoparticles. There are two key benefits of the core-shell nanoparticles formed. First, the ability of the polydopamine to bind to both zein and whey protein facilitates the formation of a stable core-shell structure, thereby protecting quercetin from any pro-oxidants in the aqueous surroundings. Second, neutral and hydrophilic whey proteins were used for the surface coating of the nanoparticles to further enhance the sustained and slow release of quercetin, facilitating its sustained release into the body at a slow and steady rate. The results of this study will promote the innovative development of precise nutritional delivery systems for zein and provide a theoretical basis for the design and development of dietary supplements based on hydrophobic food nutrient molecules.

Preparation and characterization of zein-caseinate-pectin complex nanoparticles for encapsulation of curcumin: pectin extracted by high-speed shearing from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) peel

BACKGROUND

Pectin extracted by high-speed shearing from passion fruit peel (HSSP) is a potentially excellent wall material for encapsulating curcumin, which has multiple advantages over pectin prepared by heated water extraction. HSSP was used to fabricate complex nanoparticles of zein-sodium caseinate-pectin for encapsulation of curcumin in this study. The influence of heating on the physicochemical properties of the composite nanoparticles was also investigated, as well as the effect of composite nanoparticles on the encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant activity and release characteristics of curcumin.

RESULTS

The nanoparticles were formed through electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions between the proteins and HSSP. A temperature of 50 °C was more favorable for generating compact and small-sized nanoparticles, which could effectively improve the encapsulation efficiency and functional properties. Moreover, compared to other pectin used in the study, the nanoparticles prepared with HSSP showed the best functionality with a particle size of 234.28 ± 0.85 nm, encapsulation rate of 90.22 ± 0.54%, free radical scavenging rate of 78.97% and strongest protective capacity in simulated gastric fluid and intestinal release effect.

CONCLUSION

Zein-sodium caseinate-HSSP is effective for encapsulating and delivering hydrophobic bioactive substances such as curcumin, which has potential applications in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fabrication and characterization of curcumin-loaded composite nanoparticles based on high-hydrostatic-pressure-treated zein and pectin: Interaction mechanism, stability, and bioaccessibility

We successfully designed curcumin (Cur)-loaded composite nanoparticles consisting of high-hydrostatic-pressure-treated (HHP-treated) zein and pectin with a pressure of 150 MPa (zein-150 MPa-P-Cur), showing nano-spherical structure with high zeta-potential (-36.72 ± 1.14 mV) and encapsulation efficiency (95.64 ± 1.23 %). We investigated the interaction mechanism of the components in zein-150 MPa-P-Cur using fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulation, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Compared with zein-P-Cur, the binding sites and binding energy (-53.68 kcal/mol vs. - 44.22 kcal/mol) of HHP-treated zein and Cur were increased. Meanwhile, the interaction force among HHP-treated zein, pectin, and Cur was significantly enhanced, which formed a tighter and more stable particle structure to further improve package performance. Additionally, Cur showed the best chemical stability in zein-150 MPa-P-Cur. And the bioavailability of Cur was increased to 65.53 ± 1.70 %. Collectively, composite nanoparticles based on HHP-treated zein and pectin could be used as a promising Cur delivery system.

Fabrication and Characterization of Docosahexaenoic Acid Algal Oil Pickering Emulsions Stabilized Using the Whey Protein Isolate-High-Methoxyl Pectin Complex

In this study, the whey protein isolate-high-methoxyl pectin (WPI-HMP) complex prepared by electrostatic interaction was utilized as an emulsifier in the preparation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) algal oils in order to improve their physicochemical properties and oxidation stability. The results showed that the emulsions stabilized using the WPI-HMP complex across varying oil-phase volume fractions (30-70%) exhibited consistent particle size and enhanced stability compared to emulsions stabilized solely using WPI or HMP at different ionic concentrations and heating temperatures. Furthermore, DHA algal oil emulsions stabilized using the WPI-HMP complex also showed superior storage stability, as they exhibited no discernible emulsification or oil droplet overflow and the particle size variation remained relatively minor throughout the storage at 25 °C for 30 days. The accelerated oxidation of the emulsions was assessed by measuring the rate of DHA loss, lipid hydroperoxide levels, and malondialdehyde levels. Emulsions stabilized using the WPI-HMP complex exhibited a lower rate of DHA loss and reduced levels of lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde. This indicated that WPI-HMP-stabilized Pickering emulsions exhibit a greater rate of DHA retention. The excellent stability of these emulsions could prove valuable in food processing for DHA nutritional enhancement.

Ceftazidime and Usnic Acid Encapsulated in Chitosan-Coated Liposomes for Oral Administration against Colorectal Cancer-Inducing Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli has been associated with the induction of colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, combined therapy incorporating usnic acid (UA) and antibiotics such as ceftazidime (CAZ), co-encapsulated in liposomes, could be an alternative. Coating the liposomes with chitosan (Chi) could facilitate the oral administration of this nanocarrier. Liposomes were prepared using the lipid film hydration method, followed by sonication and chitosan coating via the drip technique. Characterization included particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, pH, encapsulation efficiency, and physicochemical analyses. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined against E. coli ATCC 25922, NCTC 13846, and H10407 using the microdilution method. Antibiofilm assays were conducted using the crystal violet method. The liposomes exhibited sizes ranging from 116.5 ± 5.3 to 240.3 ± 3.5 nm and zeta potentials between +16.4 ± 0.6 and +28 ± 0.8 mV. The encapsulation efficiencies were 51.5 ± 0.2% for CAZ and 99.94 ± 0.1% for UA. Lipo-CAZ-Chi and Lipo-UA-Chi exhibited antibacterial activity, inhibited biofilm formation, and preformed biofilms of E. coli. The Lipo-CAZ-UA-Chi and Lipo-CAZ-Chi + Lipo-UA-Chi formulations showed enhanced activities, potentially due to co-encapsulation or combination effects. These findings suggest potential for in vivo oral administration in future antibacterial and antibiofilm therapies against CRC-inducing bacteria.

Design and Characterization of a Novel Core-Shell Nano Delivery System Based on Zein and Carboxymethylated Short-Chain Amylose for Encapsulation of Curcumin

Curcumin is a naturally occurring hydrophobic polyphenolic compound with a rapid metabolism, poor absorption, and low stability, which severely limits its bioavailability. Here, we employed a starch-protein-based nanoparticle approach to improve the curcumin bioavailability. This study focused on synthesizing nanoparticles with a zein "core" and a carboxymethylated short-chain amylose (CSA) "shell" through anti-solvent precipitation for delivering curcumin. The zein@CSA core-shell nanoparticles were extensively characterized for physicochemical properties, structural integrity, ionic stability, in vitro digestibility, and antioxidant activity. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicates nanoparticle formation through hydrogen-bonding, hydrophobic, and electrostatic interactions between zein and CSA. Zein@CSA core-shell nanoparticles exhibited enhanced stability in NaCl solution. At a zein-to-CSA ratio of 1:1.25, only 15.7% curcumin was released after 90 min of gastric digestion, and 66% was released in the intestine after 240 min, demonstrating a notable sustained release effect. Furthermore, these nanoparticles increased the scavenging capacity of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) free radical compared to those composed solely of zein and were essentially nontoxic to Caco-2 cells. This research offers valuable insights into curcumin encapsulation and delivery using zein@CSA core-shell nanoparticles.

Preparation, structural characterization, and functional attributes of zein-lysozyme-κ-carrageenan ternary nanocomposites for curcumin encapsulation

The low water solubility and inadequate bioavailability of curcumin significantly hinder its broad biological applications in the realms of food and medicine. There is limited information currently available regarding the particle characteristics and functional capabilities of zein-lysozyme-based nanomaterials. Thereby, the primary goal of the current work is to effectively develop innovative zein-lysozyme-κ-carrageenan complex nanocomposites (ZLKC) as a reliable carrier for curcumin encapsulation. As a result, ZLKC nanoparticles showed a smooth spherical nanostructure with improved encapsulation efficiency. Fourier-transform infrared, fluorescence spectroscopy, dissociation assay, and circular dichroism analysis revealed that hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding were pivotal in the construction and durability of these composites. X-ray diffraction examination affirmed the lack of crystallinity in curcumin encapsulated within nanoparticles. The incorporation of κ-carrageenan significantly improved the physicochemical stability of ZLKC nanoparticles in diverse environmental settings. Additionally, ZLKC nanocomposites demonstrated enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as sustained release characteristics. Therefore, these findings demonstrate the potential application of ZLKC nanocomposites as delivery materials for encapsulating bioactive substances.

Alkali-assisted extraction, characterization and encapsulation functionality of enzymatic hydrolysis-resistant prolamin from distilled spirit spent grain

Curcumin is a natural lipophilic polyphenol that exhibits significant various biological properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties following oral administration. However, its uses have shown limitations concerning aqueous solubility, bioavailability and biodegradability that could be improved by prolamin-based nanoparticle. In this study, curcumin was encapsulated into prolamin from sorghum (SOP) and wheat (WHP) and distilled spirit spent grain (DSSGP), which was obtained after microbial proteolysis of the former two cereal grains. All the three prolamins showed clear variation of protein profiles and microstructure as confirmed by electrophoresis analysis, disulfide bond determination and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). For curcumin-loaded nanospheres (NPs) fabrication, three prolamin-based NPs shared features of spherical shape, uniform particle size, and smooth surface. The average size ranged from 122 to 193 nm depending on the prolamin variety and curcumin loading. In the experiments in vitro, curcumin showed significantly improved UV/thermal stability. Furthermore, DSSGP was more resistant to enzymatic digestion in vitro, hence achieving the controlled release of curcumin in gastrointestinal tract. Collectively, the results indicated the improved bioavailability and biodegradability of curcumin encapsulated by DSSGP, which would be an innovative potential encapsulant for effective protection and targeted delivery of hydrophobic compounds.

Food-packaging applications and mechanism of polysaccharides and polyphenols in multicomponent protein complex system: A review

With the increasingly mature research on protein-based multi-component systems at home and abroad, the current research on protein-based functional systems has also become a hot spot and focus in recent years. In the functional system, the types of functional factors and their interactions with other components are usually considered to be the subjective factors of the functional strength of the system. Because this process is accompanied by the transfer of protons and electrons in the system, it has antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols and polysaccharides have the advantages of wide source, excellent functionality and good compatibility with proteins, and have become excellent and representative functional factors. However, polyphenols and polysaccharides are usually accompanied by poor stability, poor solubility and low bioavailability when used as functional factors. Therefore, the effect of separate release and delivery will inevitably lead to non-significant or direct degradation. After forming a multi-component composite system with the protein, the functional factor will form a stable system driven by hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic forces and electrostatic forces between the functional factor and the protein. When used as a delivery system, it will protect the functional factor, and when released, through the specific recognition of the cell membrane receptor signal, the effect of fixed-point delivery is achieved. In addition, this multi-component composite system can also form a functional composite film by other means, which has a long-term significance for prolonging the shelf life of food and carrying out specific antibacterial.

Fucoidan alleviates the inhibition of protein digestion by chitosan and its oligosaccharides

Chitosan (CTS) and chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) have been widely applied in food industry due to their bioactivities and functions. However, CTS and COS with positive charges could interact with proteins, such as whey protein isolate (WPI), influencing their digestion. Interaction among CTS/COS, FUC, and WPI/enzymes was studied by spectroscopy, chromatography, and chemical methods in order to reveal the role of FUC in relieving the inhibition of protein digestibility by CTS/COS and demonstrate the action mechanisms. As shown by the results, the addition of FUC increased degree of hydrolysis (DH) and free protein in the mixture of CTS and WPI to 3.1-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively, while raise DH value and free protein in the mixture of COS and WPI to 6.7-fold and 1.2-fold, respectively. The interaction between amino, carboxyl, sulfate, and hydroxyl groups from carbohydrates and protein could be observed, and notably, FUC could interact with CTS/COS preferentially to prevent CTS/COS from combining with WPI. In addition, the addition of FUC could also relieve the combination of CTS to trypsin, increasing the fluorescence intensity and concentration of trypsin by 83.3 % and 4.8 %, respectively. Thus, the present study demonstrated that FUC could alleviate the inhibitory effect of CTS/COS on protein digestion.

Enhanced environmental stress resistance and functional properties of the curcumin-shellac nano-delivery system: Anti-flocculation of poly-γ-glutamic acid

Curcumin was widely designed as nanoparticles to remove application restrictions. The occurrence of flocculation is a primary factor limiting the application of the curcumin nano-delivery system. To enhance the environmental stress resistance and functional properties of shellac-curcumin nanoparticles (S-Cur-NPs), γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) was utilized as an anti-flocculant. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of S-Cur-NPs were also improved with γ-PGA incorporation. FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the presence of amorphous characteristics in S-Cur-NPs and the combination of γ-PGA and shellac was driven by hydrogen bonding. The hydrophilic, thermodynamic, and surface potential of S-Cur-NPs was improved by the incorporation of γ-PGA. This contribution of γ-PGA on S-Cur-NPs effectively mitigated the flocculation occurrence during heating, storage, and in-vitro digestive treatment. Furthermore, it was revealed that γ-PGA enhanced the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of S-Cur-NPs and effectively protected the functional activity against heating, storage, and in-vitro digestion. Release studies conducted in simulated gastrointestinal fluids revealed that S-Cur-NPs have targeted intestinal release properties. Overall, the design of shellac with γ-PGA was a promising strategy to relieve the application stress of shellac and curcumin in the food industry.