A promising perspective to boost the utilizability of oil bodies: Moderate regulation and modification of interface

Abstract

Oil bodies (OBs), as natural oil storage organelles, can be obtained and utilized directly by simple extraction, thereby satisfying consumer demand for plant-derived green foods. The unique topological structure of the phospholipid–protein membrane renders OBs controllable and resistant to environmental stres, demonstrating their promising prospects for applications. As natural self-assemblies, the nutrient distribution, composition, and structural characteristics of OBs can be modified in multiple ways, including the genetic improvement and various processing techniques, to meet diverse application requirements. Generally, the utilization of OBs (e.g., processing stability, emulsifying, digestion, etc.) is closely related to their interfacial properties, but the associated studies have not been systematically reviewed. In this paper, we systematically review the structural and interfacial characteristics of OBs for the first time, encompassing their biosynthetic pathways and the structure-function relationship critical to their processability and bioavailability In particular, targeted improvement methods were also discussed. The underlying mechanisms of the physicochemical stability of OBs were primarily related to the interfacial modulation, including linkages between density, charge, and the number of protein–phospholipid salt bridges, as well as the quantity and structure of extrinsic proteins. The membrane compactness, enzyme binding sites, and aggregation of OBs in gastrointestinal tract significantly impact their digestion and subsequent metabolic fate. In summary, moderate interfacial modification, by altering the interactions between membrane components and retaining some extrinsic proteins, may be a promising approach to boost the stability and functionality of OBs.