This study aimed to encapsulate lutein in high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized by quinoa protein isolate (QPI), tannic acid (TA), and high-methoxy pectin (HMP) particles at varying concentrations to address its low delivery efficiency and bioavailability. High concentrations (3%-4%) of QPI-TA-HMP particles demonstrated strong interfacial adsorption, forming thick viscoelastic films around oil droplets. These interfacial properties imparted controllable rheological behaviors, textural characteristics, and stable 3D-printing scaffolds to the lutein-loaded HIPEs, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 81.65 ± 2.36%. In vitro tests indicated that HIPEs enhanced lutein's resistance to storage, heat, and UV exposure while facilitating sustained intestinal release, resulting in a lutein bioaccessibility of 43.73 ± 1.44%. In vivo experiments further demonstrated that the HIPEs delivery system maintained high lutein concentrations in the small intestine, cecum, and colon, thereby significantly enhancing lutein accumulation in systemic circulation. These findings provide new insights into enhancing lutein's stability, delivery performance, and bioavailability.
Temperature is a key factor regulating the assembly and functional properties of protein-polysaccharide complexes. In this study, curcumin-loaded high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) were fabricated using quinoa protein-κ-carrageenan (QPI-κC) soluble complexes treated at temperatures ranging from 45 to 75 °C as stabilizers. Results indicated that oil phase screening showed rapeseed oil had the best curcumin solubility, while HIPEs prepared with soybean oil displayed uniform fine droplets and optimal stability. Moreover, moderate heat treatment (55 °C) endowed curcumin-loaded HIPEs with superior shear-thinning behavior, an elasticity-dominated gel structure, and the highest creep resistance and structural tolerance. Stability tests confirmed that after 35 days of storage, the HIPEs of the QPI-κC-55 °C group achieved the highest curcumin retention rate and degradation half-life at 25 °C (W = 59.73%, t = 32.89 days) and 4 °C (W = 72.40%, t = 44.12 days). Meanwhile, these HIPEs remarkably prolonged the degradation half-life of curcumin under high-temperature (t = 5.24 h) and ultraviolet irradiation (t = 5.75 h) conditions. During in vitro digestion, the intact interfacial barrier enables controlled lipolysis, yielding the highest free fatty acid release and curcumin bioaccessibility (59.73%). Thus, appropriately heat-treated QPI-κC complexes offer a synergistic plant-based platform for the encapsulation, protection, and intestinal delivery of hydrophobic bioactives.
Jiangling Zhang, Guangfan Qu, Feiyan Yang et al.· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations