Development, characterization and probiotic encapsulating ability of novel Momordica charantia bioactive polysaccharides/whey protein isolate composite gels

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 225; pp. 454 - 466
• Main Authors: Bora, Awa Fanny Massounga, Kouame, Kouadio Jean Eric-Parfait, Li, Xiaodong, Liu, Lu, Sun, Yue, Ma, Qian, Liu, Yibo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.01.2023
• Subjects: Composite gels; Gels - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Momordica charantia; Momordica charantia polysaccharides; Polysaccharides - chemistry; Probiotics - chemistry; Whey protein isolate; Whey Proteins - chemistry; Composite gels; Whey protein isolate; Momordica charantia polysaccharides
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.097

In this study, a polysaccharide (MP1) with a molecular weight of 38 kDa was isolated from Momordica charantia which contains arabinose, galactose, xylose, and rhamnose. (MP1) was used to formulate composite gels with Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) that were characterized for their functional properties, microstructure, thermal resistance, probiotic encapsulating ability, and potential toward metabolic syndrome (MS). Results showed that the highest complex index was obtained at MP concentration of 2 %. MP-WPIs demonstrated superior (p < 0.05) water holding capacity and emulsifying properties than WPI gels. MP-WPIs also had higher (p < 0.05) thermal stability via TGA and DSC analysis. MP-WPI morphology was observed via SEM whereas protein structure as affected by MP concentration was studied using CLSM. Also, FTIR revealed that MP and WPI bonded mainly through electrostatic, hydrophobic and hydrogen interactions. More, MP-WPIs successfully enhanced probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) survival upon freeze-drying with high encapsulation efficiency (98 %) and improved storage stability. MP-WPIs improved LA survival upon digestion suggesting a potential prebiotic activity. Finally, synbiotic formulation LA-MP-WPIs exhibited effective biological activity against MS. Therefore, MP-WPIs is a propitious strategy for effective probiotic gastrointestinal delivery with potential toward MS. •Novel composite gels were produced by heat-induced gelation of WPI and MP.•MP-WPIs had higher WHC and emulsifying properties than WPI.•MP addition increased WPI gels strength and thermal stability.•MP-WPIs provided superior protection to LA upon freeze-drying and in vitro digestion, compared to WPI.•LA-MP-WPI showed to be a promising therapeutic candidate for MS.