Single/co-encapsulation capacity and physicochemical stability of zein and foxtail millet prolamin nanoparticles

Preparation and Regulation of Natural Amphiphilic Zein Nanoparticles by Microfluidic Technology

Microfluidic technology, as a continuous and mass preparation method of nanoparticles, has attracted much attention in recent years. In this study, zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) were continuously fabricated in a highly controlled manner by combining a microfluidics platform with the antisolvent method. The impact of ethanol content (60~95%, v/v) and flow rates of inner and outer phases in the microfluidics platform on particle properties were examined. Among all ZNPS, 90%-ZNPs have the highest solubility (32.83%) and the lowest hydrophobicity (90.43), which is the reverse point of the hydrophobicity of ZNPs. Moreover, when the inner phase flow rate was 1.5 mL/h, the particle size decreased significantly from 182.81 nm to 133.13 nm as the outer phase flow rate increased from 10 mL/h to 50 mL/h. The results revealed that ethanol content had significant impacts on hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties of ZNPs. The flow rates of ethanol-water solutions and deionized water (solvent and antisolvent) in the microfluidics platform significantly affected the particle size of ZNPs. These findings demonstrated that the combined application of a microfluidics platform and an antisolvent method could be an effective pathway for precisely controlling the fabrication process of protein nanoparticles and modulating their physicochemical properties.

Phyto-cosmeceutical gel containing curcumin and quercetin loaded mixed micelles for improved anti-oxidant and photoprotective activity

Ultra Violet radiations induced skin damage and associated skin disorders are a widespread concern. The consequences of sun exposure include a plethora of dermal conditions like aging, solar urticaria, albinism and cancer. Sunscreens provide effective protection to skin from these damages. Besides FDA approved physical and chemical UV filters, phytoconstituents with their multi functionalities are emerging as frontrunners in Therapy of skin disorders. Objective of this study was to develop novel phyto-dermal gel (PDG) with dual action of sun protection and antioxidant potential using polymeric mixed micelles (PMMs) are nanocarriers. PMMs of Pluronic F127 and Pluronic F68 loaded with curcumin and quercetin were optimized by 32 factorial designs. Responses studied were vesicle size, SPF, entrapment efficiency of curcumin and quercetin and antioxidant activity. Droplet size ranged from 300 to 500 nm with PDI in between 0.248 and 0.584. Combination of curcumin and quercetin showed enhanced sun protection and antioxidant activity. Pluronics played a significant positive role in various parameters. In present studies vesicle size of factorial batches was found to be between 387 and 527 nm, and SPF was found to be between 18.86 and 28.32. Transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical morphology of micelles. Optimized micelles were incorporated into Carbopol 940. Optimized PDG was evaluated for pH, drug content, spreadability, rheology, syneresis, ex vivo permeation, and skin retention. Hysteresis loop in the rheogram suggested thixotropy of PDG. Syneresis for gels from day 0-30 days was found to be between 0% and 12.46% w/w. SPF of optimized PDG was 27±0.5. Optimized PDG showed no signs of erythema and edema on Wistar rats. PMMs thus effectively enhanced antioxidant and skin protective effect of curcumin and quercetin.

Co-encapsulation of curcumin and anthocyanins in bovine serum album-fucoidan nanocomplex with a two-step pH-driven method

BACKGROUND

Curcumin (CUR) and anthocyanins (ACN) are recommended due to their bioactivities. However, their nutritional values and health benefits are limited by their low oral bioavailability. The incorporation of bioactive substances into polysaccharide-protein composite nanoparticles is an effective way to enhance their bioavailability. Accordingly, this study explored the fabrication of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-fucoidan (FUC) hybrid nanoparticles using a two-step pH-driven method for the delivery of CUR and ACN.

RESULTS

Under a 1:1 weight ratio of BSA to FUC, the point of zero charge moved from pH ⁓ 4.7 for BSA to around 2.5 for FUC-coated BSA, and the formation of BSA-FUC nanocomplex was pH-dependent by showing the maximum CUR emission wavelength shifting from 546 nm (CUR-loaded BSA-FUC at pH 4.7) and 544 nm (CUR/ACN-loaded BSA-FUC nanoparticles at pH 4.7) to 540 nm (CUR-loaded BSA-FUC at pH 6.0) and 539 nm (CUR/ACN-loaded BSA-FUC nanoparticles at pH 6.0). Elevated concentrations of NaCl from 0 to 2.5 mol L-1 caused particle size increase from about 250 to about 800 nm, but showing no effect on the encapsulation efficiency of CUR. The CUR and ACN entrapped, respectively, in the inner and outer regions of the BSA-FUC nanocomplex were released at different rates. After incubation for 10 h, more than 80% of ACN was released, while less than 25% of CUR diffused into the receiving medium, which fitted well to Logistic and Weibull models.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the BSA-FUC nanocomposites produced by a two-step pH-driven method could be used for the co-delivery of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nutraceuticals. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Co-Encapsulation of Curcumin and Diosmetin in Nanoparticles Formed by Plant-Food-Protein Interaction Using a pH-Driven Method

In this work, a pH-driven method was used to prepare zein-soy protein isolate (SPI) composite nanoparticles (NPs). The mass ratio of SPI to zein influenced the Z-average size (Z-ave). Once the zeta potential stabilized, SPI was completely coated on the periphery of the zein NPs. The optimal mass ratio of zein:SPI was found to be 2:3. After determining the structure using TEM, curcumin (Cur) and/or diosmetin (Dio) were loaded into zein-SPI NPs for co-encapsulation or individual delivery. The co-encapsulation of Cur and Dio altered their protein conformations, and both Cur and Dio transformed from a crystalline structure to an amorphous form. The protein conformation change increased the number of binding sites between Dio and zein NPs. As a result, the encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of Dio improved from 43.07% to 73.41%, and thereby increased the loading efficiency (LE%) of zein-SPI NPs to 16.54%. Compared to Dio-loaded zein-SPI NPs, Cur/Dio-loaded zein-SPI NPs improved the storage stability of Dio from 61.96% to 82.41% within four weeks. The extended release of bioactive substances in the intestine during simulated gastrointestinal digestion improved the bioavailability. When exposed to a concentration of 0-800 µg/mL blank-loaded zein-SPI NPs, the viability of HepG2 and LO-2 cells was more than 90%, as shown in MTT assay tests. The zein-SPI NPs are non-toxic, biocompatible, and have potential applications in the food industry.

Construction of a Ternary Composite Colloidal Structure of Zein/Soy Protein Isolate/Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose to Deliver Curcumin and Improve Its Bioavailability

This work presents the fabrication of ternary nanoparticles (Z/S/C NPs) comprising zein (Z), soy protein isolate (SPI) and carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC-Na) through a pH-driven method. The results showed that the smallest particle size (71.41 nm) and the most stable zeta potential, measuring -49.97 mV, were achieved with the following ratio of ternary nanoparticles Z/SPI/CMC-Na (2:3:3). The surface morphology of the nanoparticles was further analyzed using transmission electron microscopy, and the synthesized nanoparticles were utilized to encapsulate curcumin (Cur), a hydrophobic, bioactive compound. The nanoparticles were characterized using a particle size analyzer, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results revealed that the formation of nanoparticles and the encapsulation of Cur were driven by electrostatic, hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The drug loading efficiency (EE%) of Z/S/C-cur nanoparticles reached 90.90%. The Z/S/C ternary nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced storage stability, photostability and simulated the gastrointestinal digestion of Cur. The release of Cur and variations in the particle size of nanoparticles were investigated across different stages of digestion. The biocompatibility of the Z/S/C ternary nanoparticles was assessed by conducting cell viability assays on HepG2 and L-O2 cells, which showed no signs of cytotoxicity. These results suggested that the ternary composite nanoparticles have potential in delivering nutritional foods and health-promoting bioactive substances.