Controlling the Enzymatic Digestion of Lipids Using Hybrid Nanostructured Materials

Abstract

Solid nanoparticle-lipid hybrids have been engineered by using spray drying to assemble monodisperse hydrophilic silica nanoparticles and submicron lipid (triglyceride) emulsions together into composite microparticles, which have specific activity toward enzymes. The influence of silica particle size (100-1000 nm) and emulsifier type (anionic and cationic) on the three-dimensional structure of the composite particles was investigated. The nanostructure of the hybrid particles, which is controlled by the size of the voids between the closely packed silica particles, plays a critical role in lipase action and hence lipid digestion kinetics. Confining lipid droplets within the nanostructured silica aggregates led to 2- to 15-fold enhanced rate of lipolysis in comparison with dispersed coarse oil droplets. The composite particles were tailored to enhance, retain or sustain the lipolysis kinetics of submicron lipid emulsions. The presence of repulsive nanoparticle-droplet interactions favored aqueous redispersion and fast lipolysis of the hybrid composite materials, while attractive interactions hindered redispersion and delayed lipolysis of the confined lipid droplets. Such hybrid nanomaterials can be exploited to control the gastrointestinal enzymatic action and promisingly form the basis for the next generation of foods and medicines.

Use of Silica Based Materials as Modulators of the Lipase Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Fats under Simulated Duodenal Conditions

“…This type of behavior produces a much faster and more complete hydrolysis of fats than in model systems in which the nanomaterial is not present [ 17 ]. The same authors also verified that the size of the particles, their topology, the material to fat ratio and the surface charge are factors that modify the surface properties and therefore the ability of the lipase to access the substrate and vary the hydrolysis rate [ 18 ].…”

Effects of starch addition on the activity and specificity of food‐grade lipases

“…Future studies will address the possibility of extending these observations to solids other than starch, using particles and/or nanoparticles differing in size and in surface hydrophobicity . In this frame, it also seems worth exploring whether particles and nanoparticles with suitable physical and chemical properties may be used to modulate the rate and the outcome also of synthetic and metathetic reactions catalyzed by both lipases and esterases, thus addressing an issue of significant biotechnological relevance .…”

“…However, there are significant differences in the nature and yield of the possible products of lipolytic reactions as a function of a number of parameters of practical relevance, which include: (i) the type and origin of the enzyme ; (ii) the nature of the fats undergoing hydrolysis [12]; (iii) the conditions used (i.e., the physicochemical environment in which the enzyme and its substrate(s) interact) . There are indications that the presence of particles in lipolytic reaction mixtures may affect the orientation of either the substrate or the enzyme or promote the formation of lipid micro‐ and nanostructures that affect rate and specificity of the enzyme action .…”

3D printing of sacrificial templates into hierarchical porous materials

“…Subsequent adsorption of particles at the interface ensures the stabilization of droplets against coarsening at longer timescales. Emulsions produced through this route can be further processed by spray drying 24,25 , but the obtained structures have been so far limited to materials in granular or colloidal form of relevance for pharmaceutical applications 26,27 .…”