Development of a nanoparticle delivery system based on zein/polysaccharide complexes

Zein, an alcohol‐soluble protein in corn, can self‐assemble into spherical nanoparticles, which makes it an ideal carrier material for the encapsulation of hydrophobic bioactive molecules. However, zein nanoparticles easily aggregate in water and are sensitive to enzymatic degradation in the digestive system. A strategy to overcome their limitations is the incorporation of polysaccharides as a second polymer layer that provides stability to zein nanoparticles. This review introduces the characteristics of zein as they relate to understanding the formation of zein/polysaccharide nanoparticles. Particular attention is paid to the preparation methods for the zein/polysaccharide nanoparticles, as well as to the morphological observation methods and detection mechanism. Moreover, the properties and applications of zein/polysaccharide nanoparticles are highlighted.

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or continue reading here: JFDS-2020-0935 Submitted 6/3/2020, Accepted 10/26/2020. Authors Li and Yu are with College of Food Science and Engineering, Tonghua Normal University, 950, Yucai Road, Tonghua, Jilin, 134001, P.R. China. Author Yu is with State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Li hu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, P.R. China. Author Yu is with School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Li hu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, P.R. China. Direct inquiries to author Li (Email: [email protected]).

CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of encapsulation of the compounds into zein/polysaccharides nanoparticles are exhibited as follows: (i) high encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity; (ii) good dispersion in water; (iii) improvement of stability to harsh conditions; (iv) control release and enhancement of bioavailability; and (v) maintaining or enhancement of activities. Moreover, zein and polysaccharides are food materials and easy to obtained. The preparation of nanoparticles need not use synthetic additives and toxic organic solvents. So it would be economic, environmentally friendly to utilize zein/polysaccharides nanoparticles. In the presence of the polysaccharides, zein nanoparticles obtain improvements in stability to pH, ionic strength, and thermal treatment, but the stability significantly depends on the types and levels of polysaccharides. Moreover, high ionic strength and high temperature still pose a challenge in the application of zein/polysaccharides nanoparticles. Some previous studies have shown that the encapsulation of compounds into nanoparticles enhanced their activities, but investigations into the mechanism have not been carried out. Further, the bioavailable experiments were performed almost entirely in vitro; therefore, the pharmacokinetics in vivo should be further studied in the future.

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