Encapsulation in lysozyme/ A. Sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide nanoparticles increases stability and bioefficacy of curcumin

Extraction methods, structural diversity and potential biological activities of Artemisia L. polysaccharides (APs): A review

The extraction and structural characterization of polysaccharides are challenging in plants with overlapping distributions such as Artemisia, the plant genus producing antimalarial drug artemisinin discovered by the Nobel Prize 2015 winning Professor Tu You-you. The diversity in Artemisia polysaccharides (APs) is due to difference in extraction methods leading to different bioactivities. In spite of that, APs utilization is decelerated due to lack of a review portraying current advancements. This review delivers data on extraction, structural characterization and bioactivities of APs with emphasis on mechanisms of action and structure-function relationships. Outcomes indicated that various polysaccharides in 16 Artemisia species were reported and comprehensively described. The common methods for preparing APs were hot water and microwave assisted extractions with maximum yield. Maximum plant parts used to extract APs include leaves, aerial part, whole plant and seeds. The APs presented varying molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, carbohydrates, proteins, uronic acids and phenolic content with around 20 bioactivities. Data on structure-function relationships indicated that the bioactivities of APs are highly correlated with the differences in Mw and monosaccharide's type. While Artemisia species discussed here are the most studied species for their polysaccharides, other Artemisia species may offer unique polysaccharides with distinct biological properties; hence, the future research could focus on expanding the scope of species studied. Broader investigations are also needed specifically on the structure-function relationships of APs with the elucidation of impact of unknown factors on their efficacy.

Encapsulation of Folic Acid and α-Tocopherol in Lysozyme Particles and Their Bioaccessibility in the Presence of DNA

Protein particles have been reported as the potential carriers for the co-encapsulation of bioactive components. In this study, lysozyme, a basic protein, was used to simultaneously encapsulate folic acid and α-tocopherol at pH 4.0. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of folic acid or α-tocopherol increased with its respective concentration. Folic acid had no influence on the encapsulation of α-tocopherol. However, the encapsulation of folic acid was improved by α-tocopherol below 40 μg/mL but reduced by α-tocopherol at higher concentrations. The encapsulation by lysozyme shielded folic acid, α-tocopherol, or both partially from the attack of 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation. No masking effect of lysozyme encapsulation on α-tocopherol was found in DPPH antioxidant activity assay. Furthermore, the DNA coating was used to improve the dispersion of lysozyme with folic acid and α-tocopherol. The lysozyme/DNA particles with folic acid and α-tocopherol showed a homogenous size distribution of 180-220 nm with ζ-potential values between -33 and -36 mV. The release and bioaccessibility of folic acid in lysozyme/DNA with α-tocopherol were similar to that of folic acid alone, while the release of α-tocopherol was delayed and its bioaccessibility was improved by encapsulation in lysozyme/DNA with folic acid. The data gathered here would provide guidance for the use of lysozyme-based co-encapsulating carriers in the development of functional foods.

Glycosylation of Zein Hydrolysate as a Nanocarrier for Lutein Delivery: Preparation and Stability

Lutein is a functional carotenoid that has a wide range of physiological benefits in humans. However, it easily degrades and becomes inactivated during storage and processing, resulting in low bioavailability. The development of new nanocarriers can effectively improve the stability and biological activity of lutein. In this study, zein hydrolysate (ZH) carriers were glycosylated with glucosamine (GLU) under the action of transglutaminase, and lutein-loaded glycosylated ZH nanoparticles (GZH-LUT) were constructed by liquid–liquid dispersion. The results showed that the GZH-LUT particles had a narrow size distribution in the range of 200–300 nm and a decreased zeta potential and polydispersity index. In particular, GZH trapped lutein more efficiently than ZH. In addition, GZH-LUT had better physical and chemical properties, including better water solubility, oxidative stability, and environmental stability than free lutein and ZH-LUT. These results indicate that glycosylated zein hydrolysate has the potential to be used as a novel protein-based nanocarrier to enhance the solubility and stability of lutein, which can further improve its bioavailability.

Fabrication and characterization of octenyl succinic anhydride modified pullulan micelles for encapsulating curcumin

BACKGROUND

Curcumin has become increasingly popular in functional foods and beverages field as a result of its high biological activity. Nevertheless, the application of curcumin is usually limited by its poor water solubility, low absorption, rapid metabolism and instability. Accordingly, the development of an appropriate wall material is crucial for its effective use. In the present study, curcumin-octenyl succinic anhydride modified pullulan (Cur-OSAP) micelles were successfully prepared by an anti-solvent co-precipitation method.

RESULTS

Octenyl succinic anhydride modified pullulan (OSAP) micelles exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (57.31%) and loading capacity (5.73%) of curcumin when the mass ratio of OSAP to curcumin was 10:1 and the degree of substitution of OSAP was 0.0469, at which point Cur-OSAP micelles formed via hydrogen binding and hydrophobic interactions, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence techniques. The transmission electron microscopy results showed that the Cur-OSAP micelles were roughly spherical in shape with diameters in the approximate range 30-60 nm.

CONCLUSION

The encapsulation of OSAP greatly improved photostability and sustained release properties of curcumin in Cur-OSAP micelles. These findings suggest that OSAP can be used as a carrier to encapsulate and protect hydrophobic food ingredients. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Maillard-Type Protein-Polysaccharide Conjugates and Electrostatic Protein-Polysaccharide Complexes as Delivery Vehicles for Food Bioactive Ingredients: Formation, Types, and Applications

Due to their combination of featured properties, protein and polysaccharide-based carriers show promising potential in food bioactive ingredient encapsulation, protection, and delivery. The formation of protein–polysaccharide complexes and conjugates involves non-covalent interactions and covalent interaction, respectively. The common types of protein–polysaccharide complex/conjugate-based bioactive ingredient delivery systems include emulsion (conventional emulsion, nanoemulsion, multiple emulsion, multilayered emulsion, and Pickering emulsion), microcapsule, hydrogel, and nanoparticle-based delivery systems. This review highlights the applications of protein–polysaccharide-based delivery vehicles in common bioactive ingredients including polyphenols, food proteins, bioactive peptides, carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals. The loaded food bioactive ingredients exhibited enhanced physicochemical stability, bioaccessibility, and sustained release in simulated gastrointestinal digestion. However, limited research has been conducted in determining the in vivo oral bioavailability of encapsulated bioactive compounds. An in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion model incorporating gut microbiota and a mucus layer is suggested for future studies.

Elaboration and characterization of curcumin-loaded soy soluble polysaccharide (SSPS)-based nanocarriers mediated by antimicrobial peptide nisin

Curcumin was recently attracted great interest owing to its multiple bioactivities; however, the use of curcumin was hindered by its poor solubility and stability. In this study, curcumin-nisin-soy soluble polysaccharide nanoparticles (Cur-Nisin-SSPS-NPs, size = 118.76 nm) have been successfully elaborated to improve the application of curcumin. The formation of Cur-Nisin-SSPS-NPs was mediated by amphiphilic and positively charged nisin: SSPS encapsulated nisin, which was mainly driven by electrostatic attraction. And nisin-SSPS complex encapsulated curcumin mainly through hydrophobic interactions between nisin and curcumin. The encapsulation efficiency of curcumin (91.66%) in this novel nanocarriers was significantly higher than that in nanoparticles prepared by a single SSPS (31.82%) or nisin (41.69%), most likely because more hydrophobic regions of nisin were exposed after interacting with SSPS through electrostatic interaction. Consequently, this facile and green nanocarriers improved the solubility/dispersibility and stability of curcumin and nisin, as well as endowed SSPS-based nanoparticles with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

A review on polysaccharides from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch seeds, their extraction, modification, structure, and applications

Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch (ASK) is an important member of Compositae (Asteraceae) family. Its seeds have been widely used as traditional medicine and to improve the quality of food. Water soluble and water insoluble polysaccharides are found in the seeds of this plant. Research has been conducted on the extraction of polysaccharides, their modification and determination of their structure. To date different techniques for extraction purposes have been applied which are reviewed here. Antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-obesogenic, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities have been explored using in vivo and in vitro methods. Moreover, these polysaccharides have been used as packaging material and as a sensing component for monitoring the freshness of packaged food. Some experimental results have shown that the quality of foods is also improved by using them as a food additive. We have also indicated some of the potential areas that are needed to be explored.

Enhancing the antitumor activity of tea polyphenols encapsulated in biodegradable nanogels by macromolecular self-assembly

Nanogels (NGs) with desirable stability have emerged as a promising platform for biomedical applications. Herein, a convenient approach was developed to encapsulate and protect tea polyphenols (TPs) by macromolecular self-assembly of lysozyme (Ly) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) through a heating treatment. Biodegradable Ly–CMC NGs were formed on the basis of molecules driven by electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic forces. The particle size and morphology of the Ly–CMC NGs were analyzed using a Malvern particle size analyzer, fluorescence spectrophotometer, and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the heated NGs were spherical with better stability and smaller particle size. The encapsulation efficiency of TP-loaded NGs was 89.05 ± 3.14%, and it indicated that the Ly–CMC NGs may have a strong binding force with TPs. Moreover, TP-loaded NGs showed a sustained release feature. The DPPH and ABTS-scavenging rates of the TP-loaded NGs were 76.5% and 86.1%, respectively. The antitumor activity of the TP-loaded NGs can effectively inhibit the proliferation of HepG₂ cells. Furthermore, TP-loaded NGs were proven to significantly enhance the induction of apoptosis in hepatoma cells and exhibit obvious cell cycle arrest. Our results demonstrate that the Ly–CMC NGs have extensive application prospects as a biocompatible and biodegradable delivery carrier of food functional factors to improve their antitumor effects.

Fabrication of biodegradable TP-loaded Ly and CMC nanogels via self-assembly and the study of their controlled release and absorption process in vivo.