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Dong S, Mu G. Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex Environments. Foods 2025; 14:859. [PMID: 40077562 PMCID: PMC11899260 DOI: 10.3390/foods14050859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2025] [Revised: 02/24/2025] [Accepted: 02/25/2025] [Indexed: 03/14/2025] Open
Abstract
Zein was made flexible through acid-driven deamidation. This increased flexibility was confirmed by the higher release of water-soluble peptides during trypsin hydrolysis. Self-assembled flexible zein nanoparticles (FZNPs) were prepared using the anti-solvent precipitation method. To test the sensitivity of FZNPs to complex environment, ionic solutions (CaCl2 and NaCl) at various concentrations were prepared. The morphology and particle size of FZNPs differed significantly from those of control zein nanoparticles (NZNPs). As the ionic concentration increased from 0 to 15 mmol/L, FZNPs showed higher electrical conductivity and adsorption capacity than NZNPs. This suggests that FZNPs are highly sensitive to complex environment. X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrum (XPS) results revealed that both FZNPs and NZNPs bound more Na+ than Ca2+. The enhanced sensitivity of FZNPs to complex environments may be due to their greater tendency for structural changes. These conformational changes are likely caused by the altered amino acids in flexible zein, which result from deamidation. This study offers a practical approach to designing novel nanoparticles as functional materials for delivering bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirong Dong
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China;
- School of Food Engineering, Harbin University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Guangqing Mu
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China;
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Feng Z, Shao B, Yang Q, Diao Y, Ju J. The force of Zein self-assembled nanoparticles and the application of functional materials in food preservation. Food Chem 2025; 463:141197. [PMID: 39276690 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Zein self-assembled nanoparticles (Z-NPs) are an excellent delivery carrier for bioactive components. However, the poor stability of its application in the food industry is the main problem. This paper focused on the self-assembly force of Z-NPs and the factors affecting the stability of Z-NPs. Meanwhile, the modification methods of zein and its interaction with food additives were analyzed. Additionally, its application in the field of food preservation was reviewed. The main interactions between zein and polyphenols encompass hydrogen bonding, non-covalent interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. Besides, the interactions with polysaccharides involve both covalent and non-covalent interactions. Furthermore, the protein interactions entail hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and π-π stacking. The primary driving forces governing zein self-assembly encompass electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, hydrophobic interactions, and π-π stacking. Meanwhile, functionalized Z-NPs can be used in the food preservation industry to prolong the shelf life of food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiruo Feng
- Special Food Research Institute, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China; Qingdao Special Food Research Institute, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Special Food Processing (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture Rural Affairs, People's Republic of China; Shandong Technology Innovation Center of Special Food, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Shao
- Special Food Research Institute, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China; Qingdao Special Food Research Institute, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Special Food Processing (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture Rural Affairs, People's Republic of China; Shandong Technology Innovation Center of Special Food, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingli Yang
- Special Food Research Institute, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China; Qingdao Special Food Research Institute, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Special Food Processing (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture Rural Affairs, People's Republic of China; Shandong Technology Innovation Center of Special Food, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuduan Diao
- Institute of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Science, China
| | - Jian Ju
- Special Food Research Institute, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China; Qingdao Special Food Research Institute, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Special Food Processing (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture Rural Affairs, People's Republic of China; Shandong Technology Innovation Center of Special Food, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China.
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Song Y, Zhou L, Zhang D, Wei Y, Jiang S, Chen Y, Ye J, Shao X. Stability and release of peach polyphenols encapsulated by Pickering high internal phase emulsions in vitro and in vivo. Food Hydrocoll 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.108593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
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Chen Y, Liu C, Yang Z, Sun Y, Chen X, Liu L. Fabrication of zein-based hydrophilic nanoparticles for efficient gene delivery by layer-by-layer assembly. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 217:381-397. [PMID: 35839955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As a natural biological macromolecule, zein has broad application prospects in drug delivery due to its unique self-assembly properties. In this work, zein/sodium alginate (Zein/SA) nanocomposites were prepared by a pH-cycle method, Then Zein/SA/PEI (ZSP) nanocomposites were prepared by efficient layer-by-layer assembly method, ZSP nanocomposite of higher transfection performance was further labeled by folic acid (FA). After characterizing the physicochemical properties of ZSP by various methods, the potential of ZSP as a gene delivery vehicle was explored in vitro. The results showed that ZSP had good dispersibility and stability, the diameter distribution was in the range of 124-203 nm, and it had a typical core-shell structure, which could effectively condensate DNA and protect it from nuclease hydrolysis. ZSP exhibited proton buffering capacity similar to PEI, lower cellular toxicity, lower protein adsorption and erythrocyte hemolysis effect than PEI. ZSP/pDNA complexes could be taken up by cells and exhibited higher transfection efficiency than PEI/DNA complexes at the same weight ratio. The transfection efficiency of the complex in HeLa and 293T cells can be improved by FA labeling, especially in HeLa cells. These results provide new perspective for the design and development of efficient zein-based gene delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Chaobing Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Zhaojun Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Yanlin Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Liang Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China.
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Hassan EA, Hathout RM, Gad HA, Sammour OA. A holistic review on zein nanoparticles and their use in phytochemicals delivery. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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