Enzymatically Partially Hydrolyzed α-Lactalbumin Peptides for Self-Assembled Micelle Formation and Their Application for Coencapsulation of Multiple Antioxidants

Abstract

The codelivery system for multiple antioxidants such as anthocyanins (Ant) and curcumin (Cur) of synergistic action may effectively enhance their stability and cellular absorption. We have reported that amphiphilic peptides obtained from enzymatic partial hydrolysis of α-lactalbumin (α-lac) can self-assemble into 20 nm monodispersed nanomicelles in aqueous solution. Cur and Ant could be coloaded into the micelles sequentially via hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, which was proved by fluorescence quenching experiments for the Cur–micelle and Ant–micelle interactions. Circular dichroism spectra proved that the Cur and Ant binding did not affect their structure confirmation. Both Cur- and Ant-loaded micelles showed improved stability and also exhibited an intestinal pH responsive release property in simulated gastrointestinal fluid. In addition, the nanomicelles exhibited an advanced cellular uptake and transmembrane permeability based on Caco-2 cell monolayer models. Finally, the coloaded micelles possessed a synergistic efficiency such that cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) for Cur and Ant was markedly improved.

Enhancement of oral bioavailability of natural compounds and probiotics by mucoadhesive tailored biopolymer-based nanoparticles: A review

“…The co-loaded nanomicelles, which afforded a slower release rate at simulated gastric pH than at the higher intestinal pH, showed greater synergistic cellular antioxidant action than quercetin, a hydrophobic phenolic compound with recognized high antioxidant capacity (Jiang et al, 2018).…”

Self-assembled proteins for food applications: A review

“…α-lactalbumin micelles can also be used in order to encapsulate or carry hydrophobic active compounds. For example, Du, Bao et al 2019and Jiang et al (2018) formed amphiphilic peptides from partial enzymatic hydrolysis of α-lactalbumin, and then self-assembled into micelles under aqueous conditions.…”

“…This system has also been used to load active compounds such as anthocyanins, curcumin and β-carotene via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The active compounds did not alter the self-assembly of lactalbumin and these micelles have high stability and controlled release in simulated gastrointestinal fluids (Du, Bao et al, 2019;Jiang et al, 2018).…”

Calcium phosphate coated core-shell protein nanocarriers: Robust stability, controlled release and enhanced anticancer activity for curcumin delivery

“…Cur. [54] The CAA value were determined using eq.(3). The CAA results indicate that the NaCas and NaCas@CaP NPs loaded Cur had better cellular anti-oxidant activity than free Cur (Figure 6B).…”