Zein-modified phytosterol nanoparticles with regulatable hydrophobicity formed by antisolvent co-precipitation for hydrophobic substance encapsulation

IF 11 1区农林科学 Q1 CHEMISTRY, APPLIED

Food Hydrocolloids Pub Date : 2025-07-11 DOI:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2025.111750

Juncai Pek , Qinbo Jiang , Quancai Sun , Ye Peng , Yang Li , Hui Zhang

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Abstract

Phytosterols (PS), natural bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties, suffer from strong hydrophobicity, resulting in processing difficulties and low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop zein-modified PS composite nanoparticles for the encapsulation of quercetin using an anti-solvent co-precipitation method, and to investigate their hydrophilic/hydrophobic modulation, antioxidative activity, and stability. Zein, a maize storage protein, was employed to modulate the hydrophilicity of PS. The nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized using SEM, DLS, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and DSC. Zein modification significantly improved the hydrophilicity of PS by reducing the three-phase contact angle from 113.26° to 91.15°. The encapsulation efficiency of quercetin reached up to 85 % at a concentration of 15 %. The nanoparticles exhibited excellent stability across a wide pH range (3−10) and under high ionic strength conditions, with nanoparticles maintaining an average size below 450 nm without significant aggregation at 1.0 mol/L NaCl. The antioxidative activity of quercetin-loaded nanoparticles was confirmed, with the highest DPPH radical scavenging efficiency of 45 %. This study highlights the potential of zein modification to improve the hydrophilicity and stability of hydrophobic bioactive nanoparticles, providing new insights for developing functional foods and drug delivery systems.

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用抗溶剂共沉淀法制备疏水物质包埋的玉米蛋白修饰的疏水性可调节的植物甾醇纳米颗粒

植物甾醇（Phytosterols， PS）是具有促进健康特性的天然生物活性化合物，由于其疏水性较强，加工难度大，生物利用度低。本研究旨在利用抗溶剂共沉淀法制备玉米蛋白修饰的PS复合纳米颗粒，用于槲皮素的包封，并研究其亲疏水调节、抗氧化活性和稳定性。利用玉米贮藏蛋白Zein调控PS的亲水性，采用SEM、DLS、XRD、FTIR、TGA、DSC等手段对纳米颗粒进行了表征。玉米蛋白改性使PS的三相接触角从113.26°降低到91.15°，显著提高了PS的亲水性。槲皮素在15%的浓度下包封率可达85%。在较宽的pH范围（3−10）和高离子强度条件下，纳米颗粒表现出优异的稳定性，在1.0 mol/L NaCl条件下，纳米颗粒的平均尺寸保持在450 nm以下，没有明显的聚集。槲皮素纳米粒子的抗氧化活性得到证实，其DPPH自由基清除率最高为45%。该研究强调了玉米蛋白修饰在改善疏水生物活性纳米颗粒的亲水性和稳定性方面的潜力，为开发功能食品和药物输送系统提供了新的见解。

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来源期刊

Food Hydrocolloids 工程技术-食品科技

CiteScore

19.90

自引率

14.00%

发文量

871

审稿时长

37 days

期刊介绍： Food Hydrocolloids publishes original and innovative research focused on the characterization, functional properties, and applications of hydrocolloid materials used in food products. These hydrocolloids, defined as polysaccharides and proteins of commercial importance, are added to control aspects such as texture, stability, rheology, and sensory properties. The research's primary emphasis should be on the hydrocolloids themselves, with thorough descriptions of their source, nature, and physicochemical characteristics. Manuscripts are expected to clearly outline specific aims and objectives, include a fundamental discussion of research findings at the molecular level, and address the significance of the results. Studies on hydrocolloids in complex formulations should concentrate on their overall properties and mechanisms of action, while simple formulation development studies may not be considered for publication. The main areas of interest are: -Chemical and physicochemical characterisation Thermal properties including glass transitions and conformational changes- Rheological properties including viscosity, viscoelastic properties and gelation behaviour- The influence on organoleptic properties- Interfacial properties including stabilisation of dispersions, emulsions and foams- Film forming properties with application to edible films and active packaging- Encapsulation and controlled release of active compounds- The influence on health including their role as dietary fibre- Manipulation of hydrocolloid structure and functionality through chemical, biochemical and physical processes- New hydrocolloids and hydrocolloid sources of commercial potential. The Journal also publishes Review articles that provide an overview of the latest developments in topics of specific interest to researchers in this field of activity.