Design of microcapsules with bilberry seed oil, cold-set whey protein hydrogels and anthocyanins: Effect of pH and formulation on structure formation kinetics and resulting microstructure during purification processing and storage

Recent progress in oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) double emulsions

Oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) double emulsions are recognized as an advanced design route for oil structuring that shows promising applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food fields. This review summarizes the main research advances of O/W/O double emulsions over the past two decades. It mainly focuses on understanding the preparation strategies, stabilization mechanism, and potential applications of O/W/O double emulsions. Several emulsification strategies are discussed, including traditional two-step emulsification method, phase-inversion approach, membrane emulsification, and microfluidic emulsification. Further, the role of interfacial stabilizers and viscosity in the stability of O/W/O double emulsions will be discussed with a focus on synthetic emulsifiers, natural biopolymer sand solid particles for achieving this purpose. Additionally, analytical methods for evaluating the stability of O/W/O double emulsions, such as advanced microscopy, rheology, and labeling assay are reviewed taking into account potential limitations of these characterization techniques. Moreover, possible innovative food applications are highlighted, such as simulating fat substitutes to decrease the trans- or saturated fatty acid content and developing novel delivery and encapsulation systems. This review paves a solid way for the exploration of O/W/O double emulsions toward large-scale implementation within the food industry.

The Influence of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Whey Proteins on the Properties of Gelatin-Whey Composite Hydrogels

Amino-acids, peptides, and protein hydrolysates, together with their coordinating compounds, have various applications as fertilizers, nutritional supplements, additives, fillers, or active principles to produce hydrogels with therapeutic properties. Hydrogel-based patches can be adapted for drug, protein, or peptide delivery, and tissue healing and regeneration. These materials have the advantage of copying the contour of the wound surface, ensuring oxygenation, hydration, and at the same time protecting the surface from bacterial invasion. The aim of this paper is to describe the production of a new type of hydrogel based on whey protein isolates (WPI), whey protein hydrolysates (WPH), and gelatin. The hydrogels were obtained by utilizing a microwave-assisted method using gelatin, glycerol, WPI or WPH, copper sulfate, and water. WPH was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of whey protein isolates in the presence of bromelain. The hydrogel films obtained have been characterized by FT-IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The swelling degree and swelling kinetics have also been determined.

Fluorescent Polyelectrolyte System to Track Anthocyanins Delivery inside Melanoma Cells

Over the past decades, there has been a growing interest in using natural molecules with therapeutic potential for biomedical applications. In this context, our aim is focused on anthocyanins (AN) as molecules with anticancer properties that could be used in melanoma local therapies. Due to their susceptibility to environmental changes, current study is based on the design and development of a fluorescent system for carrying and trafficking AN inside melanoma cells. The architectural structure of the proposed system CaCO₃(PAH)@RBITC@AN reflects a spherical shape, 1080 nm diameter and a solid groundwork CaCO₃(PAH), on which rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RBITC) fluorophore was firstly added; then, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polyelectrolytes and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were successfully deposited. Purified AN from chokeberries were entrapped between PAA layers (rate of 94.6%). In vitro tests confirmed that CaCO₃(PAH)@RBITC@AN does not affect the proliferation of melanoma B16-F10 cells and proved that their internalization and trafficking can be followed after 24 h of treatment. Data presented here could contribute not only to the existing knowledge about the encapsulation technology of AN but also might bring relevant information for a novel formula to deliver therapeutic molecules or other bio-imaging agents directly into melanoma cells, a strategy that could positively improve tumor therapies.

Nanocomplexes derived from chitosan and whey protein isolate enhance the thermal stability and slow the release of anthocyanins in simulated digestion and prepared instant coffee

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are naturally derived colorants and antioxidants added to manufactured foods. ACNs were encapsulated in nanocomplexes with chitosan hydrochloride (CHC), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and whey protein isolate (WPI). The ACN-loaded CHC/CMC-WPI nanocomplexes (ACN-CHC/CMC-WPI) showed a preferred particle size (332.20 nm) and zeta potential (+23.65 mV) and a high encapsulation efficiency (60.70%). ACN-CHC/CMC-WPI nanocomplexes exhibited a smooth spherical shape by transmission electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed interactions between the ACNs and the encapsulation materials (CHC/CMC-WPI). The nanocomplexes or the nanocomplexes incorporated into coffee beverage better protected ACNs at high temperature compared to the unencapsulated ACNs. In simulated gastrointestinal fluids, the ACNs in the ACN-CHC/CMC-WPI were more stable and more slower released over time. The nanocomplexes maintained high DPPH and hydroxyl free radical scavenging activities. This study indicated that CHC/CMC-WPI nanocomplexes can improve the thermal stability and slow the release of ACNs added to food products.