Lutein-loaded Pickering high internal phase emulsions stabilized by protein-polyphenol-polysaccharide self-assembled particles: Interfacial behavior, in vitro/in vivo stability and release.
Aug 2026· Food Chemistry· Vol 525 Pt 4, pp.
150710
· 0 citations· 62 references
Medicine
TL;DR
In vitro tests indicated that HIPEs enhanced lutein's resistance to storage, heat, and UV exposure while facilitating sustained intestinal release, resulting in a lutein bioaccessibility of 43.73 ± 1.44%.
Abstract
This study aimed to encapsulate lutein in high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized by quinoa protein isolate (QPI), tannic acid (TA), and high-methoxy pectin (HMP) particles at varying concentrations to address its low delivery efficiency and bioavailability. High concentrations (3%-4%) of QPI-TA-HMP particles demonstrated strong interfacial adsorption, forming thick viscoelastic films around oil droplets. These interfacial properties imparted controllable rheological behaviors, textural characteristics, and stable 3D-printing scaffolds to the lutein-loaded HIPEs, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 81.65 ± 2.36%. In vitro tests indicated that HIPEs enhanced lutein's resistance to storage, heat, and UV exposure while facilitating sustained intestinal release, resulting in a lutein bioaccessibility of 43.73 ± 1.44%. In vivo experiments further demonstrated that the HIPEs delivery system maintained high lutein concentrations in the small intestine, cecum, and colon, thereby significantly enhancing lutein accumulation in systemic circulation. These findings provide new insights into enhancing lutein's stability, delivery performance, and bioavailability.
Temperature is a key factor regulating the assembly and functional properties of protein-polysaccharide complexes and appropriately heat-treated QPI-κC complexes offer a synergistic plant-based platform for the encapsulation, protection, and intestinal delivery of hydrophobic bioactives.
Jiangling Zhang, Guangfan Qu, Feiyan Yang et al.· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
Astaxanthin exhibits significant antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. However, its photodegradability and thermal sensitivity challenge its application. Zein/hyaluronic acid/propylene glycol alginate (zein/HA/PGA) nanoparticles were fabricated using a pH cycling method. The nanoparticles exhibited a contact angle of 89.20 ± 0.32°, indicating favorable amphiphilic characteristics. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed intermolecular interactions among zein, HA, and PGA, consistent with hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attractions. Molecular docking results clarified the binding stability of zein with HA. The zein/HA/PGA nanoparticles at a concentration of 2.4 % (w/v) and an oil phase volume fraction of 0.6 facilitated the formation of Pickering emulsions with high stability and robust ionic strength tolerance (up to 500 mM NaCl). Rheological assessments demonstrated a higher interfacial tension and dilatational elasticity. Astaxanthin was encapsulated by Pickering emulsion, and gastrointestinal release simulations showed a bioavailability of 17.57 ± 0.34%. The zein/HA/PGA nanoparticle-stabilized Pickering emulsions offer a promising platform for applications in nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study provides a novel strategy for the preparation of Pickering emulsions utilizing food-grade nanoparticles as stabilizers and expands the scope of applications within the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors. Furthermore, the natural encapsulated astaxanthin has a potential to be used as a functional ingredient as the release properties in gastrointestinal conditions.
Shan-Fu Wang, Yan Zhao, Fuge Niu et al.· Journal of Food Science· 0 citations
Resveratrol (RES), a natural compound widely used as a food additive and preservative, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, its poor solubility and stability severely limit its translational potential for clinical applications. To address these challenges, we developed a core-shell nanoparticle drug delivery system (DDS) composed of zein, soy lecithin, and dextran sulfate, fabricated via a built-in ultrasonic dialysis process (BUDP). The optimized RES/ZLDS NPs exhibited uniform spherical morphology, small particle size (252.00 ± 14.64 nm), high negative zeta potential (-80.10 ± 0.66 mV), and satisfactory encapsulation efficiency (88.54 ± 1.98%) and loading capacity (7.86 ± 0.03%). Compared with free RES, RES/ZLDS NPs significantly enhanced the dissolution rate (3.90-fold), white light stability (1.41-fold), UV light stability (2.22-fold), ABTS+ scavenging activity (3.42-fold), and in vitro bioaccessibility (2.33-fold). Mechanistic studies revealed that the nanoparticles were internalized primarily via caveolae/lipid raft-mediated endocytosis, and in vivo tissue distribution demonstrated the highest RES accumulation in the lung, with approximately 2.5-fold and 2-fold increases in the heart and lung, respectively, over free RES. In an LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model, RES/ZLDS NPs dramatically alleviated pulmonary pathological damage and reduced IL-6 and TNF-α levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by 2.79-fold and 2.45-fold, respectively, compared with free RES. Importantly, acute toxicity evaluation confirmed that RES/ZLDS NPs did not induce detectable organ damage or alter serum biochemical parameters, indicating a favorable safety profile. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that this nanoparticle system not only optimizes the physicochemical and biological performance of RES but also serves as a versatile and safe delivery platform for other food-derived bioactive compounds.
Zhen-Yao Wu, Wenqi Wu, Wu Luo et al.· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
Abstract Self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) containing volatile phytotherapeutics such as thymol (T), carvacrol (C), and eugenol (E) present significant formulation challenges, even when solidified. Their instability and interactions with coatings often hinder intestinal delivery. To address these limitations, we developed solid SMEDDS consisting of pellets (microcrystalline cellulose/magnesium aluminometasilicate/chitosan) and enteric capsules (CEC) for enhanced intestinal delivery. Based on solubility and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams, SMEDDS formulations (SES1-3) differing in component ratios (glycerol monooleate/caprylocaproyl macrogol-8 glycerides/diethylene glycol monoethyl ether) with 5% w/w of each drug were identified, demonstrating nano-scale droplet sizes (PDI <0.4) and showing no phase separation over 6 months. Thermodynamic stability and liquid-state NMR revealed particle size variations with preserved structural integrity. The lead formulation SES1 exhibited superior ex-vivo intestinal permeation (T-SES1). CECs filled with T-, C-, and E-loaded SES1 pellets, respectively, prepared via extrusion/spheronization, exhibited in-vitro gastro-resistant release, and achieved > 85% drug release within 120 min after a pH change to 6.8 during a one-year stability study (25 °C; 60% RH). FTIR-ATR analysis of the CEC internal surface confirmed the temperature-dependent restructuring of hypromellose and E sorption, a phenomenon not observed with C or T, which is likely attributable to physicochemical distinctions. Oral administration of CEC with T-SES1-pellets (0.5 mg/kg) in piglets demonstrated a delayed peak plasma concentration (Cmax 11.67 ng/mL at 9 h) and sustained systemic exposure (AUC 119.8 ng·h/mL). These in-vivo findings substantiate the gastro-protective effect and enhanced intestinal absorption, positioning the pellet/CEC system as a promising strategy for the application of volatile phytotherapeutics in current pharmacotherapy.
Gabriela Koutná, Jan Kotouček, Jan Macků et al.· Drug Delivery· 0 citations
Sulforaphane (SFN) is structurally unstable and sensitive to pH variations. This study developed O/W emulsions coated with complex coacervate (ECC) composed of mung bean protein isolate (MPI) and ι-carrageenan. The SFN-loaded ECC (SFN-ECC) was fabricated to enhance stability and targeted delivery. A two-stage response surface methodology was applied to sequentially optimize the formulation, targeting emulsion stability and size first, then coacervate coating yield and encapsulation efficiency. The optimal parameters were identified as 8793 rpm, 54% oil, 0.6% ι-carrageenan, 1.17% MPI, and pH 3.71. The resulting SFN-ECC exhibited a compact core-shell morphology and improved thermal stability due to strong protein-polysaccharide interactions. In vitro digestion models demonstrated that SFN-ECC minimized gastric release to 6.9% while enhancing controlled intestinal delivery to 45.1%. This dual-layer encapsulation suppresses premature release under gastric conditions and enables controlled release at the intestinal stage, offering a strategy to improve the bioavailability of unstable lipophilic bioactives in functional foods.
Su Min Park, J. Han, Keun-Koo Kang et al.· Food Chemistry· 0 citations
Hydrophobic bioactive compounds are difficult to deliver because of poor water solubility, limited stability, and uncontrolled release. In this study, chitosan-soy protein isolate (CS-SPI) conjugates were prepared by dry-heat Maillard reaction and used as natural polymeric emulsifiers for curcumin-loaded emulsions. The highest grafting degree of 15.3% was obtained at 70 °C, 74.50% relative humidity, 96 h, and a CS:SPI mass ratio of 1:3. Compared with chitosan and CS-SPI non-covalent complex-stabilized emulsions, the CS-SPI conjugate-stabilized emulsion showed the smallest droplets (7.23 μιη) and a more uniform distribution. It maintained high encapsulation efficiency after 6 days of storage (94.28%) and suppressed burst release during simulated gastric digestion, extending curcumin release to about 72 h. These results suggest that CS-SPI conjugates improve emulsion stability and sustained-release performance.
Ziwei Cheng· BIO Web of Conferences· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
