Chitosan reduces vitamin D bioaccessibility in food emulsions by binding to mixed micelles

Stabilization mechanisms and digestion properties of Pickering emulsions prepared with tempo-oxidized hyaluronic acid/chitosan nanoparticles: From the perspective of oxidation degree

In this study, the stabilization mechanism and digestion behavior of Pickering emulsion prepared by a combination of chitosan (CS) and TEMPO-oxidized hyaluronic acid (HA) were investigated. Conductometric titration was used to determine the degree of oxidation and carboxylate content of TEMPO-oxidized HA. The results showed that the degree of oxidation increased proportionally with increasing oxidation time, and the electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions with CS were significantly enhanced. The results of FTIR and TEM showed the formation of CS/oxidized HA nanoparticles (CS/oxidized-HANPs). In addition, the contact angle of CS/oxidized-HANPs is closed to 77°, thereby providing higher desorption energy at the interface. Rheological results showed that the Pickering emulsion exhibited a gel-like network structure and higher viscosity. In vitro digestion results suggested that the quercetin (Que) bioaccessibility of the CS/oxidation HANps-stabilized Pickering emulsion with an oxidation time of 20 min was better than that of the conventional emulsion prepared with CS alone. The research is expected to develop novel polysaccharide-based Pickering emulsion delivery systems for functional compounds.

Fabrication of phenolic loaded spray-dried nanoliposomes stabilized by chitosan and whey protein: Digestive stability, transepithelial transport and bioactivity retention of phenolics

Low bioavailability of phenolic compounds (phenolics) results in low in vivo bioactivity, thus their co-encapsulation could enhance potential health benefits. In this study, reconstitutable nanoliposomes loaded with phenolics varying in solubility were fabricated using spray drying after stabilized by chitosan (CH) or whey protein (WP). The physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, digestive fate, and bioactivity retention of phenolics in different forms were investigated. The surface charge of nanoliposomes (NL) shifted from -18.7 mV to positive due to conjugation with cationic CH (53.1 mV) and WP (14 mV) after spray drying while it was -26.6 mV for only spray-dried phenolics (SDP). Encapsulation efficiency of the tested phenolics ranged between 64.7 % and 95.1 %. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion/Caco-2 cell model was used to estimate the digestive fate of the phenolics yielding up to 3-fold higher bioaccessibility for encapsulated phenolics compared to their native form, combined or individually. However, the cellular uptake or transepithelial transport of phenolics did not differ significantly among formulations, except trans-resveratrol in WP-NL. On the contrary, the suppressive effect of phenolics on fatty acid induced hepatocellular lipid accumulation was strongly dependent on the encapsulation method, no activity was retained by SDP. These findings suggested that reconstitutable nanoliposomes can improve the absorption of phenolics by facilitating their bioaccessibility and thermal and/or processing stability during spray drying.

Design, characterization and digestibility of β-carotene-loaded emulsion system stabilized by whey protein with chitosan and potato starch addition

The physicochemical properties and gastrointestinal fate of β-carotene-loaded emulsions and emulsion gels were examined. The emulsion was emulsified by whey protein isolate and incorporated with chitosan, then the emulsion gels were produced by gelatinizing potato starch in the aqueous phase. The rheology properties, water distribution, and microstructure of emulsions and emulsion gels were modulated by chitosan combination. A standardized INFOGEST method was employed to track the gastrointestinal fate of emulsion systems. Significant changes in droplet size, zeta-potential, and aggregation state were detected during in vitro digestion, including simulated oral, stomach, and small intestine phases. The presence of chitosan led to a significantly reduced free fatty acids release in emulsion, whereas a slightly increasing released amount in the emulsion gel. β-carotene bioaccessibility was significantly improved by hydrogel formation and chitosan addition. These results could be used to formulate advanced emulsion systems to improve the gastrointestinal fate of hydrophobic nutraceuticals.

Encapsulation of vitamin D3 using rhamnolipids-based nanostructured lipid carriers

This work had as main objective to encapsulate vitamin D3 (VD3) into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) using rhamnolipids as surfactant. Glycerol monostearate and medium chain triglycerides with 2.625 % of VD3 were used as lipid materials. The three formulations of NLCs with VD3 (NLCs + VD3) were composed by 99 % of aqueous phase, 1 % of lipid phase and 0.05 % of surfactant. The difference between them was the ratio of solid:liquid in lipid phase. The NLCs + VD3 sizes ranged between 92.1 and 108.1 nm. The most stable formulation maintaining their caracteristics for 60 days at 4 °C. The NLCs + VD3 cytotoxicity demonstrated that concentrations of 0.25 mg/mL or lower up had a good biocompatibility in vitro. During the in vitro digestion, formulations with lower sizes and higher content on solid lipid had higher lipolysis rate and consequently higher VD3 bioaccessibility. The rhamnolipids-based NLCs are a good option for the encapsulation of VD3.

Structural and Morphological Features of Anisotropic Chitosan Hydrogels Obtained by Ion-Induced Neutralization in a Triethanolamine Medium

For the first time, anisotropic hydrogel material with a highly oriented structure was obtained by the chemical reaction of polymer-analogous transformation of chitosan glycolate-chitosan base using triethanolamine (TEA) as a neutralizing reagent. Tangential bands or concentric rings, depending on the reaction conditions, represent the structural anisotropy of the hydrogel. The formation kinetics and the ratio of the positions of these periodic structures are described by the Liesegang regularities. Detailed information about the bands is given (formation time, coordinate, width, height, and formation rate). The supramolecular ordering anisotropy of the resulting material was evaluated both by the number of Liesegang bands (up to 16) and by the average values of the TEA diffusion coefficient ((15-153) × 10-10 and (4-33) × 10-10 m2/s), corresponding to the initial and final phase of the experiment, respectively. The minimum chitosan concentration required to form a spatial gel network and, accordingly, a layered anisotropic structure was estimated as 1.5 g/dL. Morphological features of the structural anisotropic ordering of chitosan Liesegang structures are visualized by scanning electron microscopy. The hemocompatibility of the material obtained was tested, and its high sorption-desorption properties were evaluated using the example of loading-release of cholecalciferol (loading degree ~35-45%, 100% desorption within 25-28 h), which was observed for a hydrophobic substance inside a chitosan-based material for the first time.

Research progress on chitin/chitosan-based emulsion delivery systems and their application in lipid digestion regulation

Excessive lipid intake is linked to an elevated risk of health problems. However, reducing lipid contents may influence food structure and flavor. Some alternatives are needed to control the lipid absorption. Emulsions are common carriers for lipids, which can control the hydrolysis and absorption of lipids. Chitin (Ch) and chitosan (CS) are natural polysaccharides with good biodegradability, biocompatibility, and unique cationic properties. They have been reported to be able to delay lipolysis, which can be regarded as one of the most promising agents that regulates lipid digestion (LiD). The application of Ch/CS and their derivatives in emulsions are summarized in this review with a focus on their performances and mechanisms for LiD regulation, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for the development of novel Ch/CS emulsions, and the regulation of LiD. A reasonable design of emulsion interface can provide its resistance to the external environment and then control LiD. The properties of emulsion interface are the key factors affecting LiD. Therefore, systematic study on the relationship between Ch/CS-based emulsion structure and LiD can not only instruct the reasonable design of emulsion interface to accurately regulate LiD, but also provide scientific guidelines for applying Ch/CS in functional food, medicine and other fields.

Bioaccessibility of Tocols in Commercial Maize Hybrids Determined by an In Vitro Digestion Model for Poultry

Despite the high proportion of maize grain in animal diets, the contribution made by maize phytochemicals is neglected. Tocols and their contribution to the vitamin E content of animal diets are one example, exacerbated by sparse information on the tocol bioaccessibility of commercial hybrids. In this study, the contents of individual and total tocols and their bioaccessibility were determined in the grain samples of 103 commercial hybrids using a standardized INFOGEST digestion procedure. In the studied hybrids, total tocol content ranged from 19.24 to 54.44 µg/g of dry matter. The contents of micellar α-, γ-, δ-tocopherols, γ-tocotrienol, and total tocols correlated positively with the corresponding contents in the grain samples of the studied hybrids. In contrast, a negative correlation was observed between the bioaccessibility of γ- tocopherol, α- and γ-tocotrienol, and total tocols, along with the corresponding contents in the grain of studied hybrids. The highest bioaccessibility was exhibited by γ-tocotrienol (532.77 g/kg), followed by δ-tocopherol (529.88 g/kg), γ-tocopherol (461.76 g/kg), α-tocopherol (406.49 g/kg), and α-tocotrienol (359.07 g/kg). Overall, there are significant differences in the content and bioaccessibility of total and individual tocols among commercial maize hybrids, allowing the selection of hybrids for animal production based not only on crude chemical composition but also on the content of phytochemicals.

Fortification by design: A rational approach to designing vitamin D delivery systems for foods and beverages

Over the past few decades, vitamin D deficiency has been recognized as a serious global public health challenge. The World Health Organization has recommended fortification of foods with vitamin D, but this is often challenging because of its low water solubility, poor chemical stability, and low bioavailability. Studies have shown that these challenges can be overcome by encapsulating vitamin D within well-designed delivery systems containing nanoscale or microscale particles. The characteristics of these particles, such as their composition, size, structure, interfacial properties, and charge, can be controlled to attain desired functionality for specific applications. Recently, there has been great interest in the design, production, and application of vitamin-D loaded delivery systems. Many of the delivery systems reported in the literature are unsuitable for widespread application due to the complexity and high costs of the processing operations required to fabricate them, or because they are incompatible with food matrices. In this article, the concept of "fortification by design" is introduced, which involves a systematic approach to the design, production, and testing of colloidal delivery systems for the encapsulation and fortification of oil-soluble vitamins, using vitamin D as a model. Initially, the challenges associated with the incorporation of vitamin D into foods and beverages are reviewed. The fortification by design concept is then described, which involves several steps: (i) selection of appropriate vitamin D form; (ii) selection of appropriate food matrix; (iii) identification of appropriate delivery system; (iv) identification of appropriate production method; (vii) establishment of appropriate testing procedures; and (viii) system optimization.

Enhancing the Gastrointestinal Stability of Curcumin by Using Sodium Alginate-Based Nanoemulsions Containing Natural Emulsifiers

Curcumin presents interesting biological activities but low chemical stability, so it has been incorporated into different emulsion-based systems in order to increase its bioaccessibility. Many strategies are being investigated to increase the stability of these systems. Among them, the use of polysaccharides has been seen to highly improve the emulsion stability but also to modulate their digestibility and the release of the encapsulated compounds. However, the effect of these polysaccharides on nanoemulsions depends on the presence of other components. Then, this work aimed to study the effect of alginate addition at different concentrations (0-1.5%) on the gastrointestinal fate and stability of curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions formulated using soybean lecithin or whey protein as emulsifiers. Results showed that, in the absence of polysaccharides, whey protein was more effective than lecithin in preventing curcumin degradation during digestion and its use also provided greater lipid digestibility and higher curcumin bioaccessibility. The addition of alginate, especially at ≥1%, greatly prevented curcumin degradation during digestion up to 23% and improved the stability of nanoemulsions over time. However, it reduced lipid digestibility and curcumin bioaccessibility. Our results provide relevant information on the use of alginate on different emulsifier-based nanoemulsions to act as carriers of curcumin.

Enhancing the bioaccessibility of vitamin D using mixed micelles - An in vitro study

Vitamin-D deficiency is a global issue and a food fortification strategy may reduce deficiency levels. Mixed micelles (MM) are crucial to vitamin-D absorption in vivo and may enhance vitamin-D food fortification. This study compared the ability of MM based delivery systems to oil-in-water emulsions to improve vitamin-D bioaccessibility in vitro. Vitamin-D loaded emulsions were formed with olive or coconut oil alone or with added l-α-phosphatidylcholine, as well as two MM based systems. Particle size throughout digestion, fatty acid release, and vitamin-D bioaccessibility were measured. After digestion, particles in the MM size range (∼6-10 nm) were observed for emulsions but not for MM based systems. The bioaccessibility of vitamin-D in olive and coconut emulsions was 75% and 78%, respectively, and ∼ 90% with added l-α-phosphatidylcholine. Bioaccessibility for the MM alone was 93% and 90% when mixed with a protein/lactose base. Overall, MM show good potential as a delivery system for vitamin-D in vitro.

Physicochemical Characterization of Chitosan-Decorated Finasteride Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Skin Drug Delivery

Finasteride is considered the drug of choice for androgenic alopecia and benign prostate hyperplasia. The aim of the study was to formulate nanodrug carriers of finasteride with enhanced retentive properties in the skin. The finasteride was formulated as solid lipid nanoparticles that were decorated with different concentrations of chitosan for improved retentive properties. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were synthesized by “high-speed homogenization technique” using stearic acid as a solid lipid while PEG-6000 and Tween-80 were used as surfactants. The SLNs were evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, and drug release behavior. The mean particle size of SLNs was in the range of 10.10 nm to 144.2 nm. The PDI ranged from 0.244 to 0.412 while zeta potential was in the range of 8.9 mV to 62.6 mV. The drug entrapment efficiency in chitosan undecorated formulations was 48.3% while an increase in drug entrapment was observed in chitosan-decorated formulations (51.1% to 62%). The in vitro drug release studies of SLNs showed an extended drug release for 24 hours after 4 hours of initial burst release. The extended drug release was observed in chitosan-coated SLNs in comparison with uncoated nanoparticles. The permeation and retention study revealed higher retention of drug in the skin and low permeation with chitosan-decorated SLNs that ranged from 39.4 μg/cm² to 13.2 μg/cm². TEM images depicted spherical shape of SLNs. The stability study confirmed stable formulations in temperature range of 5°C and 40°C for three months. It is concluded from this study that the SLNs of finasteride were successfully formulated and chitosan decoration enhanced the drug retention in the skin layers. Therefore, these formulations could be used in androgenic alopecia and benign prostate hyperplasia to avoid the side effects, drug degradation, and prolonged use of drug with conventional oral therapy.

Effects of mono- and di-glycerides/phospholipids (MDG/PL) on the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients in a protein-based emulsion system

Lipophilic nutrients are known to have relatively poor absorption, thus limiting their bioaccessibility. Consequently, researchers in food and pharmaceutical areas are exploring different techniques to promote the efficient delivery of lipophilic nutrients. The effects of two polar lipids, namely mono-, di-glycerides (MDG) and lecithin (PL), on the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients were investigated in this study with a protein-based emulsion model system. During the emulsion preparation and formation, the incorporation of MDG/PL was found to benefit the dissolution and stabilization of lipophilic nutrients, such as lutein, and could also modify the construction of the emulsion surface. An in vitro digestion study showed that the use of MDG/PL could significantly increase the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients [lutein, vitamin E, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] by 13.52%, 186.90%, and 36.17% in a protein-based emulsion system. The use of MDG and PL decreased the interfacial tension in all the samples: protein only 20.65 mN m^-1, protein-PL 6.47 mN m^-1, and protein-MDG/PL 4.23 mN m^-1, as well as 12.11 mN m^-1, 1.26 mN m^-1 and 1.16 mN m^-1 with the presence of bile salts. Caco-2 cell culture results showed that, with the application of MDG/PL, the absorption rate of micelles was higher than that in the other groups and this resulted in a 70% absorption increase for lutein. Therefore, MDG/PL can improve the lipophilic nutrient absorption via promoting the affinity of formed micelles to the enterocytes of the small intestine. This study exhibited the effectiveness of MDG/PL on improving the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients in a protein-based emulsion system mimicking the digestion and absorption fate of breast milk in an infant's gastric intestinal tract, thus suggesting that MDG/PL can be used as a technical pathway to improve the absorption of lipophilic nutrients.

Nanocarriers System for Vitamin D as Nutraceutical in Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

Incidence of diabetes are common among population around the world. Diabetes may lead to other complication and increasing morbidity and mortality. Many ways have been done to treat and prevent the development of diabetes. In addition of conventional pharmacotherapy, therapeutic therapy shown good opportunity to maintain and improve diabetic conditions. Vitamin D3 is known as nutraceutical and has good opportunity to develop the medication of type 2 diabetes. In another way, vitamin D3 naturally easy to damage by environmental condition. To overcome this weakness, researcher around the world have developed the method for protecting unstable compound as vitamin D3 with encapsulation. Liprotide is one of the various materials which can be used for encapsulation. Combination of lipid and protein molecules is expected to be a carrier and protector of vitamin D3 in gastrointestinal system. Here we review the research advances of liprotide as nanocarriers and vitamin D3 as nutraceuticals to discuss in applied on type 2 diabetes.

Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery: An Overview with Emphasis on Vitamin D and K Transportation

Mounting evidence shows that supplementation with vitamin D and K or their analogs induces beneficial effects in various diseases, e.g., osteoarticular, cardiovascular, or carcinogenesis. The use of drugs delivery systems via organic and inorganic nanocarriers increases the bioavailability of vitamins and analogs, enhancing their cellular delivery and effects. The nanotechnology-based dietary supplements and drugs produced by the food and pharmaceutical industries overcome the issues associated with vitamin administration, such as stability, absorption or low bioavailability. Consequently, there is a continuous interest in optimizing the carriers' systems in order to make them more efficient and specific for the targeted tissue. In this pioneer review, we try to circumscribe the most relevant aspects related to nanocarriers for drug delivery, compare different types of nanoparticles for vitamin D and K transportation, and critically address their benefits and disadvantages.

Medium and long-chain structured triacylglycerol enhances vitamin D bioavailability in an emulsion-based delivery system: combination of in vitro and in vivo studies

Vitamin D (VitD) is an essential fat-soluble micronutrient required for maintaining and regulating calcium homeostasis. Although sunlight can provide VitD, epidemiological studies indicate that the occurrence of VitD deficiency and insufficiency is widespread. Lipids are required at all stages of VitD digestion and absorption. In this research two different medium and long-chain triacylglycerol structures, possessing identical fatty acid composition lipids, namely structured triacylglycerol (STG), and physical mixtures of medium/long-chain triacylglycerol (MCT/LCT), were selected. Our results demonstrated that STG had a significant VitD bioavailability compared to MCT/LCT. In terms of the lipid digestion and absorption, the extent of the higher free fatty acid released (69.42%, p < 0.05), extent of lipolysis (89.28%, p < 0.05), lipolysis rate (0.06 s^-1, p < 0.05), and the ratio of the long-chain fatty acid to medium-chain fatty acid of STG (4.8, p < 0.05), result in a higher capacity for accommodating VitD when forming mixed micelles (61.31%, p < 0.05). An in vivo animal study also demonstrated that STG significantly increases the delivery ability of VitD (18.75 ng mL^-1, p < 0.05). The findings of this work may have unique applications for designing novel interesterified lipids with an effective delivery capacity for fat-soluble nutrients.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity of Ingested Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials

An exponential increase in products containing titanium dioxide nanomaterials (TiO2), in agriculture, food and feed industry, lead to increased oral exposure to these nanomaterials (NMs). Thus, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) emerges as a possible route of exposure that may drive systemic exposure, if the intestinal barrier is surpassed. NMs have been suggested to produce adverse outcomes, such as genotoxic effects, that are associated with increased risk of cancer, leading to a concern for public health. However, to date, the differences in the physicochemical characteristics of the NMs studied and other variables in the test systems have generated contradictory results in the literature. Processes like human digestion may change the NMs characteristics, inducing unexpected toxic effects in the intestine. Using TiO2 as case-study, this chapter provides a review of the works addressing the interactions of NMs with biological systems in the context of intestinal tract and digestion processes, at cellular and molecular level. The knowledge gaps identified suggest that the incorporation of a simulated digestion process for in vitro studies has the potential to improve the model for elucidating key events elicited by these NMs, advancing the nanosafety studies towards the development of an adverse outcome pathway for intestinal effects.

In vitro bioaccessibility of vitamin K (phylloquinone and menaquinones) in food and supplements assessed by INFOGEST 2.0 – vit K

Vitamin K describes a group of fat-soluble vitamers namely phylloquinone and menaquinones. The growing evidence for vitamin K's role beyond blood coagulation, and the possible differences between the vitamers are emerging. Knowledge of the content of menaquinones in different food matrixes and the potential differences in bioaccessibility between the vitamin K vitamers and food matrixes are limited. In this study, the bioaccessibility was assessed using the INFOGEST 2.0 static in vitro digestion model optimised by including a Danish standard meal. The presence of the standard meal was crucial to obtaining a robust and stable digestion model. The bioaccessibility of the Danish standard meal, water, vitamin K standards, vitamin K supplements, broccoli, spinach, natto, pasteurised whole egg and canola oil was assessed by three replications. The bioaccessibility was in the range 30%–102%. The lowest bioaccessibility was observed in broccoli while the highest bioaccessibility was found in egg and canola oil. No competition in the bioaccessibility between vitamin K vitamers and vitamin D was observed.

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The INFOGEST 2.0 method was optimised for vitamin K research (INFOGEST 2.0 – vit K).

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INFOGEST 2.0 – vit K includes a standard meal based on a typical Danish meal.

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Addition of the standard meal ensures a stable and concentration independent model.

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The bioaccessibility (bioacc) of PK, MK-4 to MK-10 depended on the food matrix.

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The highest bioacc was found in oil, then supplements, followed by broccoli.

In Vitro Gastrointestinal Stability of Lipophilic Polyphenols is Dependent on their Oil-Water Partitioning in Emulsions: Studies on Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Quercetin

Many lipophilic polyphenols have low bioavailability because of their poor solubility and chemical stability within the human gut. The encapsulation of these polyphenols within digestible lipid droplets can improve their solubility and stability. However, there is currently a poor understanding of how the molecular and physicochemical properties of specific polyphenols impact these characteristics. In this study, the factors influencing the solubility and stability of different polyphenols (curcumin, resveratrol, and quercetin) under simulated gastrointestinal conditions were examined when they were delivered in the form of soybean oil-in-water nanoemulsions containing quillaja saponin-coated droplets (d₃₂ ≈ 0.15 μm; ζ = -63 mV; pH 5). The polyphenols were loaded into the lipid droplets using a pH-driven method, which is based on the pH-dependent electrical charge, oil-water partitioning, and water-solubility of these molecules. The encapsulation efficiency of all three polyphenols was relatively high (75-87%). However, their chemical stability under gastrointestinal conditions (i.e., the % remaining after exposure to gastrointestinal conditions) differed considerably: quercetin (44%), curcumin (92%), and resveratrol (100%). This effect was mainly attributed to the lower logD value of quercetin (2.17) than those of resveratrol (3.39) and curcumin (4.12). As a result, a high fraction (>50%) of quercetin was located within the aqueous gastrointestinal fluids, where it would be more prone to chemical degradation or precipitation. The fraction of the polyphenols solubilized in the gastrointestinal fluids (bioaccessibility) followed a different trend: curcumin (57%) < quercetin (73%) < resveratrol (76%). This effect was attributed to the chemical instability and/or binding of curcumin with other molecules in the simulated intestinal conditions. These results provide useful information for designing nanoemulsion-based delivery systems to improve the efficacy of lipophilic polyphenols.

The Formation of Chitosan-Coated Rhamnolipid Liposomes Containing Curcumin: Stability and In Vitro Digestion

There is growing interest in developing biomaterial-coated liposome delivery systems to improve the stability and bioavailability of curcumin, which is a hydrophobic nutraceutical claimed to have several health benefits. The curcumin-loaded rhamnolipid liposomes (Cur-RL-Lips) were fabricated from rhamnolipid and phospholipids, and then chitosan (CS) covered the surface of Cur-RL-Lips by electrostatic interaction to form CS-coated Cur-RL-Lips. The influence of CS concentration on the physical stability and digestion of the liposomes was investigated. The CS-coated Cur-RL-Lips with RL:CS = 1:1 have a relatively small size (412.9 nm) and positive charge (19.7 mV). The CS-coated Cur-RL-Lips remained stable from pH 2 to 5 at room temperature and can effectively slow the degradation of curcumin at 80 °C; however, they were highly unstable to salt addition. In addition, compared with Cur-RL-Lips, the bioavailability of curcumin in CS-coated Cur-RL-Lips was relatively high due to its high transformation in gastrointestinal tract. These results may facilitate the design of a more efficacious liposomal delivery system that enhances the stability and bioavailability of curcumin in nutraceutical-loaded functional foods and beverages.

Improving the bioavailability of oil-soluble vitamins by optimizing food matrix effects: A review

The potency of oil-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) in fortified foods can be improved by understanding how food matrices impact their bioavailability. In this review, the major food matrix effects influencing the bioavailability of oil-soluble vitamins are highlighted: oil content, oil composition, particle size, interfacial properties, and food additives. Droplet size and aggregation state in the human gut impact vitamin bioavailability by modulating lipid digestion, vitamin release, and vitamin solubilization. Vitamins in small isolated oil droplets typically have a higher bioavailability than those in large or aggregated ones. Emulsifiers, stabilizers, or texture modifiers can therefore affect bioavailability by influencing droplet size or aggregation. The dimensions of the hydrophobic domains in mixed micelles depends on lipid type: if the domains are too small, vitamin bioavailability is low. Overall, this review highlights the importance of carefully designing food matrices to improve vitamin bioavailability.

Vitamin D3 bioaccessibility: Influence of fatty acid chain length, salt concentration and l-α-phosphatidylcholine concentration on mixed micelle formation and delivery of vitamin D3

Vitamin D (VD) is a fat-soluble vitamin with high deficiency levels evident globally. Bioaccessibility of VD is influenced by formation of mixed micelles (MM) during digestion. This study assessed the impact of fatty acid (FA) type, phospholipid concentration on MM formation and stability of MM to salts. MM formation occurred at NaCl and KCl concentrations ranging from 20 to 100 mM, when octanoic acid (C8) or stearic acid (C18) were used. MM hydrodynamic size increased with increasing l-α-phosphatidylcholine concentration (1.5-7.5 mM) for both C8 and C18, above which concentration MM did not form. FA chain length impacted MM with hydrodynamic size increasing from 3.8 nm for decanoic acid (C10) to 4.4 nm for C18. VD₃ incorporation in MM was not influenced by the FA used (C10 or C18). Understanding stability and formation of MM and VD₃ loading is an essential first step towards manipulating food structures for improving delivery of VD.

Fabrication of zein/alginate delivery system for nanofood model based on pumpkin

Gastrectomy is among the most crucial types of surgeries proposed to treat gastric cancer and obesity. Gastrectomy patients experience difficulties such as energy deficit, anorexia, and malnutrition. The objective of the present study was to introduce nanofood as a fruitful strategy to supply the needed energy and nutrients for these patients and particularly control the release of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates on the simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Cooked pumpkin puree (CPP), sodium caseinate, sesame oil, rice bran oil, rice starch, sugar and pectin were applied to prepare oil in water nanoemulsion. Six delivery systems were prepared including various concentrations of zein (0.02-0.15% w/v) and alginate (0.01-0.16% w/v) in acidic (2.45-2.81) and alkaline (11.45-11.82) pH ranges. The particle size (83.5-207.0 nm) and calorific values (467.2-498.4 Cal/100 g) of samples were measured. Encapsulated food matrix nanoemulsion with zein/alginate's biopolymers delivery system (0.15:0.16 w/v, pH = 8.30) with 489.9 Cal/100 g exhibited the least digestible nutrients in the mouth (0.10%>) and gastric phase (6.91%>). It has high release nutrients in the small intestine phase (72.14%>). Therefore, it is introduced as the optimal formulation. The use of CPP in nanoemulsion formulation besides other ingredients is a good strategy to prepare nanofood for gastrectomy patients.

Encapsulation of vitamin D3 in gum arabic to enhance bioavailability and stability for beverage applications

Delivery of vitamin D₃ (VD₃ ) in foods should exhibit desirable physicochemical characteristics and improves absorption. In this study, gum arabic (GA) was investigated as a VD₃ carrier to encapsulate VD₃ . VD₃ dissolved in 5 mL ethanol corresponding to 0.3 to 6.0% mass of GA, was blended in 5.0% w/v GA solution, followed by freeze drying. The encapsulation efficiency decreased while loading capacity increased with an increased amount of VD₃ . At the highest VD₃ level, the loading capacity (3.47%) was the highest, and the encapsulation efficiency (61.24%) was satisfactory, and the treatment was further studied. The magnitude of negative zeta-potential increased from 3.1 to 31.0 mV at pH 2.0 to 7.4. During the 100-day storage at 3 °C of capsules reconstituted at pH 2.0 to 7.4, the hydrodynamic diameter decreased at all pH conditions, most evident for reduction to 81.3 nm at pH 7.4, and no precipitation was observed, indicating the significance of steric repulsion on capsule stability. Bioaccessibility of VD₃ in capsules (95.76%) was significantly higher than the nonencapsulated VD₃ (68.98%). The in vivo pharmacokinetic study in Sprague-Dawley rats after a single-dose of 300 µg VD₃ showed the area-under-curve of serum 25(OHD) level in 48 hr of the encapsulation treatment was 4.32-fold of the nonencapsulated VD₃ and more than twice higher than the VD₃ -GA physical mixture. During 2-week supplementation of 60 µg VD₃ /d, rats receiving capsules or physical mixture had 25(OH)D levels of at least 81 ng/mL higher than that of the nonencapsulated VD₃ group. The studied encapsulation system holds great potential as a value-added ingredient to supplement VD₃ in beverages with a wide pH range. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The findings of this study demonstrated the improved dispersion stability and absorption of vitamin D₃ after encapsulation in gum arabic. The capsules exhibited good dispersion stability across a pH range between 2.0 and 7.4, showing potential application in beverages. Furthermore, the enhanced absorption of VD₃ after encapsulation highlights the nutritional benefits of the studied encapsulation system.

Development of Next-Generation Nutritionally Fortified Plant-Based Milk Substitutes: Structural Design Principles

Consumers are increasingly interested in decreasing their dietary intake of animal-based food products, due to health, sustainability, and ethical concerns. For this reason, the food industry is creating new products from plant-based ingredients that simulate many of the physicochemical and sensory attributes associated with animal-derived foods, including milk, eggs, and meat. An understanding of how the ingredient type, amount, and organization influence the desirable physicochemical, sensory, and nutritional attributes of these plant-based foods is required to achieve this goal. A potential problem with plant-based diets is that they lack key micronutrients, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and ω-3 fatty acids. The aim of this review is to present the science behind the creation of next-generation nutritionally fortified plant-based milk substitutes. These milk-like products may be formed by mechanically breaking down certain plant materials (including nuts, seeds, and legumes) to produce a dispersion of oil bodies and other colloidal matter in water, or by forming oil-in-water emulsions by homogenizing plant-based oils and emulsifiers with water. A brief overview of the formulation and fabrication of plant-based milks is given. The relationship between the optical properties, rheology, and stability of plant-based milks and their composition and structure is then covered. Approaches to fortify these products with micronutrients that may be missing from a plant-based diet are also highlighted. In conclusion, this article highlights how the knowledge of structural design principles can be used to facilitate the creation of higher quality and more sustainable plant-based food products.

Factors impacting lipid digestion and nutraceutical bioaccessibility assessed by standardized gastrointestinal model (INFOGEST): oil

INFOGEST gastrointestinal model used to study impact of oil droplet size on digestion and bioaccessibility.

Factors impacting lipid digestion and β-carotene bioaccessibility assessed by standardized gastrointestinal model (INFOGEST): oil droplet concentration

The impact of oil droplet concentration on lipid digestion and vitamin bioaccessibility was measured using the INFOGEST method.

In vitrogastrointestinal digestibility of phytosterol oleogels: influence of self-assembled microstructures on emulsification efficiency and lipase activity

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of a self-assembled microstructure on lipid digestibility of phytosterol (γ-oryzanol and β-sitosterol) oleogels, including the oil emulsification process and further lipolysis.