Structure, physicochemical stability and in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion properties of β-carotene loaded zein-propylene glycol alginate composite nanoparticles fabricated by emulsification-evaporation method

• Published in: Food hydrocolloids Vol. 81; pp. 149 - 158
• Main Authors: Wei, Yang, Sun, Cuixia, Dai, Lei, Zhan, Xinyu, Gao, Yanxiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2018
• Subjects: Emulsification-evaporation; In vitro release; Physicochemical stability; Propylene glycol alginate; Zein; β-Carotene; In vitro release; Zein; Emulsification-evaporation; Physicochemical stability; Propylene glycol alginate; β-Carotene
• ISSN: 0268-005X; 1873-7137
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2018.02.042

In this study, zein-propylene glycol alginate (PGA) composite nanoparticles were fabricated by emulsification-evaporation method, and their potential to be a delivery vehicle for β-carotene was investigated. The results showed that different PGA levels resulted in various structural characteristics, physicochemical stability and properties of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion of β-carotene loaded zein-PGA composite nanoparticles. The analyses of fluorescence spectrum, circular dichroism and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic attraction played important roles in the formation of composite nanoparticles. The β-carotene entrapped in nanoparticles was amorphous, confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. The improved physicochemical stability and the sustained release of β-carotene in nanoparticles proved the potential of zein-PGA composite nanoparticles as an excellent vehicle to deliver β-carotene in food system. [Display omitted] •β-Carotene loaded zein-propylene glycol alginate (PGA) composite nanoparticles were fabricated by emulsification-evaporation method.•The physicochemical stability of β-carotene loaded zein-PGA composite nanoparticles was dependent on PGA level.•Electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bondings and hydrophobic attraction were involved in the formation of zein-PGA composite nanoparticles.•β-Carotene in zein-PGA composite nanoparticles exhibited the enhanced physicochemical stability and the sustained release.