Structure, physicochemical stability and in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion properties of β-carotene loaded zein- propylene glycol alginate composite nanoparticles fabricated by emulsification-evaporation method

摘要

In this study, zein-propylene glycol alginate (PGA) composite nanoparticles were fabricated by emulsification-evaporation method, and their potential to be a delivery vehicle for beta-carotene was investigated. The results showed that different PGA levels resulted in various structural characteristics, physicochemical stability and properties of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion of beta-carotene loaded zein-PGA composite nanoparticles. The analyses of fluorescence spectrum, circular dichroism and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic attraction played important roles in the formation of composite nanoparticles. The beta-carotene entrapped in nanoparticles was amorphous, confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. The improved physicochemical stability and the sustained release of beta-carotene in nanoparticles proved the potential of zein-PGA composite nanoparticles as an excellent vehicle to deliver beta-carotene in food system. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.