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5-demethylnobiletin (5DN) in aged citrus peel (chenpi) is a unique polymethoxyflavone that has been shown to exhibit superior anti-cancer effects, but its low water-solubility and poor oral bioavailability may limit its application as a potent nutraceutical. In this study, Se-enriched peanut protein nanoparticles-stabilized Pickering emulsions (PPEs) were used to encapsulate 5DN to enhance its bioaccessibility, cellular uptake and transport rate. The preparation of PPEs, and their digestion profiles in gastrointestinal tract, cell uptake and transport were investigated. Results showed that the bioaccessibility of 5DN was significantly higher within PPEs (18.3%) than in bulk oil (9.2%). Besides, PPEs-encapsulated 5DN has a greater apical-to-basolateral (AP-BL) transport rate (26.9 × 10−6 cm s−1) than 5DN (21.7 × 10−6 cm s−1). It was proved PPEs may promote the bioavailability of 5DN, and this type of delivery system may be useful for the application of 5DN and other crystalline nutraceuticals in functional foods and beverages.

In this research, thermosensitive liposomes (t-L) containing juglone were prepared with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and cholesterol by aether injection method. Morphological characteristics, encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, zeta potential, in vitro release, and cell viability of t-L were investigated and compared with those of conventional liposomes (c-L). Results indicated that t-L are multilamellar vesicles with lower negative charge, larger particle diameter, and higher EE than c-L. Moreover, in vitro juglone release from t-L was temperature dependent. Up to 60 % of the loaded juglone was released from t-L in 20 min when environmental temperature was increased from 37 °C to 42 °C; by contrast, >60 % of the drug remained inside for 24 h at 37 °C. Furthermore, MTT assay results revealed that t-L significantly increased the inhibitory effect on HepG2 cell growth and proliferation when these cells were exposed to hyperthermia; therefore, t-L could be applied for targeted therapy.

Coix seed oil (CSO) is well-known for wide anti-tumor spectra, but the low bioavailability confined its application. The aim of this study was to prepare nanoscale thermosensitive magnetoliposomes (TML) and identify its possibility to improve the antitumor efficiency of CSO. To obtain TML, polyethylene glycol modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles (PEG-Fe3O4) was prepared by a simple co-precipitation method, PEG-Fe3O4 and CSO were then embed by thermosensitive materials. The results indicated that both TML and PEG-Fe3O4 were superparamagnetic nanoparticles. TML with a phase transition temperature at around 42 °C exhibited temperature sensitive release. In addition, blank TML was nontoxic, while the inhibitory rate of TML containing CSO on HepG2 cells increased significantly when exposed to an external constant magnetic field and preheated treatment. Thus, the fabricated TML has good magnetic targeting effect and fast drug release in response to hyperthermia, which suggests their great potential of application in cancer therapy.

The physicochemical properties of coix seed oil (CSO) liposomes prepared by five different methods were evaluated for morphology, encapsulating efficiency, particle size, storage stability, and in vitro release. The different preparation methods resulted in several types of vesicles with different properties. The type of vesicles was closely related to leakage pattern, which affected the storage stability and in vitro release profiles. Ethanol injection method was the best choice for preparing safe and stable liposomes with controlled release. The release mechanisms might account for the diffusion of CSO, and Higuchi was the most suitable model for liposomes stored at high temperature or released in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF).

National Natural Science Foundation of China [21266020]; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology of Nanchang University [SKLF-KF-201006, SKLF-MB-201005]

Summary Zero-trans interesterified fats were produced from camellia seed oil (CSO), palm stearin (PS) and coconut oil (CO) with three weight ratios (CSO/PS/CO, 50:50:10, 40:60:10 and 30:70:10) using Lipozyme TL IM. Results showed that the interesterified products contained palmitic acid (34.28–42.96%), stearic acid (3.96–4.72%), oleic acid (38.73–47.95%), linoleic acid (5.92–6.36%) and total medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA)s (∑MCFAs, 5.03–5.50%). Compared with physical blends, triacylglycerols of OOO and PPP were decreased and formed new peaks of equivalent carbon number (ECN) 44 in the interesterified products. The product CPC3′ showed a slip melting point of 36.8 °C and a wide plastic range of solid fat content (SFC) (45.8–0.4%) at 20–40 °C. Also, the major β′ form was determined. These data indicated that the zero-trans interesterified fats would have a potential functionality for margarine fats. Subsequently, the antioxidative stabilities of interesterified products with the addition of α-tocopherol (α-TOH) and ascorbyl palmitate (AP) were investigated. The results indicated that AP had a dose-dependent effect at concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 ppm.

Summary In this research, microcapsules containing Chinese yak butter (MYB) were prepared by spray drying technique using rice syrup/whey protein isolate/sodium caseinate as wall materials. The physiochemical properties, nutritional value, stability and in vitro digestion behaviour of MYB were analysed. The results indicated that MYB were round-shaped particles with good flow properties, high microencapsulation efficiency (97.4%) and prolonged shelf life. After rehydration, the reconstituted emulsion was found to be uniform and stable. Results also suggested yak butter (YB) with more kinds of fatty acids and a ω-3/ω-6 ratio higher than 0.33 was more nutritional for human consumption than commercial milk powder, and spray drying process had nearly no side effects on nutritional value of YB. In addition, the comparative analysis of leakage behaviour after exposure to different simulated gastrointestinal tract fluids indicated that YB could be efficiently leaked out of MYB except a ratio bound to wall materials.

BACKGROUND: Rice dreg is an underutilized source of cereal protein with good potential for application in the food industry. Glutelin represents about 850 g kg−1 of total storage protein in rice dreg. The objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical properties and emulsion stabilization of the Maillard type conjugate formed with rice dreg glutelin (RDG) and κ-carrageenan (1:2 weight ratio) dry-heated at 60 °C and 79% relative humidity for 24 h. RESULTS: Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Fourier transform-infrared analysis provided evidence on the formation of the Maillard type conjugation. Amino acid analysis suggested that the major locus during the Maillard reaction were lysine and arginine. Circular dichroism spectra showed decreasing amounts of α-helix and β-strand in the products with increment in the amount of turns and random coil. Conjugation with κ-carrageenan could significantly improve solubility of RDG (P < 0.05). Measurements of mean droplet size and creaming stability in oil-in-water emulsions showed that the conjugate was more effective at stabilizing emulsions at low pH or in the presence of high ionic strength. CONCLUSION: The Maillard reaction can be successfully used as a coupling method for RDG and κ-carrageenan to form the conjugate with improved solubility and emulsion stabilization. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

In this research, carboxymethylchitosan (CMCS)-coated proliposomes (CM-PL) were prepared in an attempt to deliver coix seed oil (CSO) using conventional ethanol injection followed by surface modification and spray drying. Conventional uncoated liposomes (un-L), CMCS-coated liposomes (CM-L) and uncoated proliposomes (un-PL) were also prepared for comparison. The morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, zeta potential, stability, and CSO release performance were investigated for all samples. The results indicated that CM-PL possessed smoother surface, better heterogeneous size distribution, higher EE and improved stability compared with other samples. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that rehydrated CM-PL were spherical particles with CMCS layers surrounding the surface of conventional liposomes. The coating mechanism was probably due to H-bonding interactions between CMCS and the interfacial regions of the phosphatidylcholine bilayer. In addition, controlled release of CSO from coated proliposomes was obtained with more sustained release in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) than in simulated gastric fluid (SGF).

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated vitamin E (VE) lyophilized proliposomes was produced by thin-film ultrasonic dispersion and lyophilization and then evaluated by encapsulation efficiency (EE), distribution of particle size, storage stability, and release behavior in the simulated physiological media. The results showed that the conventional liposomes (CL) were successfully coated by PEG layer, and the hydrogen bond interaction between PEG and the Soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) headgroups in the bilayers is regarded as the coated mechanism. The mean diameter and EE were 164.2 nm and 83.87% for PEG-coated lyophilized proliposomes (PLP), respectively. VE contained within PLP exhibited a better stability comparing to the CL, and the retention percentage of PLP was 89.81% at 4 °C after 15 days storage. In addition, VE within the PLP could be controlled release in different pH of simulated media. It is proven that PLP could employ to protect VE for extending shelf life and to provide convenience for commercial usage.

In this work, resveratrol (Res) was incorporated into chitosan microspheres for controlled release and stabilisation. The microspheres were prepared by emulsion chemical cross-linking method, and vanillin was used as the novel cross-linker. The microspheres showed a smooth surface with irregular small particles and internal voids with a size distribution between 53 and 311 mu m. Interpenetrating network cross-linking mechanisms might account for the Schiff base reaction between chitosan and vanillin. The encapsulation efficiency of Res within microspheres was up to 93.68%. Res contained within microspheres was protected from light and heat compared with the free Res. In addition, release behaviours were governed by two distinct stages and dependent on pH of release media. Diffusion, swelling and erosion mechanisms might coexist for the full controlled release and Higuchi was the Most Suitable model for the whole release procedure, Thus, controlled release and stabilization of Res were achieved through incorporation of Res into cross-linked chitosan microspheres by vanillin. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Akebia trifoliata var. australis seed oil (ASO) was used as an edible oil in China. However, in-depth research studies on ASO have yet to be conducted for production of plastic fats in food industry. In this work, an immobilized lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TL IM) was employed to catalyze palm stearin (PS) with different ratios of ASO in a laboratory-scale operation at 60 °C. The physical properties [e.g., fatty acid profile, slip melting point (SMP), solid fat content (SFC), polymorphic form, and microstructure] of physical blends (PBs) were analyzed and compared with those of the interesterified products (IPs). Results showed that SMPs of IPs (33.20-37.60 °C) decreased compared with those of PBs (48.03-49.30 °C). Meanwhile, IPs showed a good SFC range from 16.11% to 28.29% at 25 °C with mostly β' polymorphic forms determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. It should be mentioned that no trans fatty acids (TFAs) were detected in any products, suggesting much more health-benefits of IPs. Texture tests showed that PBs (3318.19 ± 86.67 g) were markedly harder than IPs (557.02 ± 12.75 g). Conclusively, our study demonstrated that ASO can be utilized to produce trans-free plastic fats with good qualities through lipase-catalyzed interesterification.

A study to compare the uptake, translocation, and distribution of selenium (Se) in soybean planted in natural seleniferous soil in Fengcheng city of China was conducted to clarify the relationship between the Se content levels of soybean proteins and their radical scavenging activity. The data showed that the total Se content in different parts of soybean plants varied with the growth periods. The selenoprotein (Se-SPI) content increased remarkably with the increase of Se content in seleniferous soils. The Se-SPI content obtained from the region with the highest Se level was almost 18 times higher than that of the control group, while antioxidant activities were about 4-fold compared to the control, suggesting that Se played a positive role in enhancing the antioxidant activity of Se-SPI. The increase in the Se level also led to changes in amino acids composition, but with nearly no effects on the subunit composition of soybean Se-SPI.

A novel pH-responsive nano-carrier MSNs-PAA, possessing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) cores and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) shell-layers, was developed for controlled release of salidroside. The vinyl double bonds modified MSNs were synthesized by using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as templates, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as silicon source, and 3-(trimethoxylsilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPS) as surface modification functionalities. The pH-responsive layers of PAA were grafted onto the vinyl double bonds of the MSNs via precipitation polymerization, producing the MSNs-PAA with a hollow cubic core and mesoporous shell with penetrating pore channels. The characteristic results also showed that PAA was successfully grafted onto the surface of the MSNs. The MSNs-PAA was investigated as carriers for loading and regulating the release of salidroside in different pH solutions for the first time. The results demonstrated that the PAA layers on the surface of MSNs-PAA exhibited opened and closed states at different pH values, and thus could regulate the uptake and release of salidroside. The application of such pH-responsive nano-carrier might offer a potential platform for controlled delivery and increasing the bioavailability of drugs. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.