Formation and Characterization of Lactoferrin-Hyaluronic Acid Conjugates and Their Effects on the Storage Stability of Sesamol Emulsions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to fabricate biopolymer conjugates from lactoferrin (LF) and hyaluronic acid (HA) and then to investigate their potential as emulsifiers for forming sesamol-loaded emulsions. Initially, LF-HA covalent conjugates were formed using the carbodiimide coupling method in aqueous solutions at pH = 4.5, and then the nature of the conjugates was investigated using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results demonstrated the formation of an amide link between the amine groups of LF and the carboxyl groups of HA. Sesamol emulsions were prepared using the LF-HA conjugates as emulsifiers and their stability was determined. The conjugates improved both the physical and chemical stability of the emulsions during storage. Optimum stability of the emulsion was obtained at a LF-to-HA molar ratio of 2:1. Our results suggest that LF-HA conjugates may be effective emulsifiers for use in food stuffs and other applications.

Dual-Targeted Lactoferrin Shell-Oily Core Nanocapsules for Synergistic Targeted/Herbal Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Besides, the effect of osmotic pressure of serum proteins causes leakage of water from the aqueous part of NCs resulting in their size shrinkage. Similar results were previously observed upon using positively charged proteins as gelatin and LF as the fabricating shell of NCs. , However, the size of uncoated NCs (NE) has been further increased with time reaching 475.0 nm after 6 h, due to the absence of the hydrophilic protein shell that prevents coalescence of oil droplets resulting in hydrophobic interactions …”

“…16,30 However, the size of uncoated NCs (NE) has been further increased with time reaching 475.0 nm after 6 h, due to the absence of the hydrophilic protein shell that prevents coalescence of oil droplets resulting in hydrophobic interactions. 47 On another avenue, the hemolytic activity of dual drug-loaded NE and LF-NCs was low and negligible, 2.5 and 1.39%, respectively, up to a concentration of 1 mg/mL (Figure 6C,D). Generally, a hemolysis percentage of <5% is considered as nontoxic and safe.…”

Enzymatic and Nonenzymatic Conjugates of Lactoferrin and (−)-Epigallocatechin Gallate: Formation, Structure, Functionality, and Allergenicity

“…LF also possessed characteristic peaks at 3299.22 cm −1 (amide A bands, representative of N−H stretching coupled with hydrogen bonding), 1655.43 cm −1 (amide I bands, representative of CO stretching vibration), and 1536.97 cm −1 (amide II bands, representative of C−N stretching coupled with N−H bending mode). 27,46 Compared to LF, the amide A bands and amide II bands of the LF−EGCG complexes were slightly shifted, which is consistent with a noncovalent interaction between the protein and polyphenol, such as hydrophobic or hydrogen bonding. 38 The characteristic peaks associated with the amide A bands were shifted in the LF−EGCG conjugates relative to LF.…”

Hyaluronic acid conjugates for topical treatment of skin cancer lesions

“…There is extensive evidence in the literature that supports validating the formation of amide and ester bonds in HA conjugates using FTIR spectroscopy (24,25). FTIR analysis of HA describes the peak around 3300 cm −1 to be associated with the intra-and intermolecular stretching vibration of the ─OH group (24).…”