The pro-absorptive effect of glycosylated zein-fatty acid complexes on fucoxanthin via the lipid transporter protein delivery pathway.

[Display omitted] • The main FX-dependent lipid transport proteins are SR-B1, CD36 and ABCA1. • MA, PA and SA improved the expression of FX-dependent lipid transport proteins. • MZ-FAs hydrophilic colloids exhibit good loading properties for FX. • MZ-FAs hydrophilic colloids remarkably promoted the bioaccessibility of FX. • MZ-FAs carries displayed a high-efficiency in promoting the oral absorption of FX. Growing research confirms that lipid transport proteins play a key role in the trans-intestinal epithelial transport of carotenoids. In this study, to simultaneously improve the digestive stability and intestinal absorption of fucoxanthin (FX), functionalized vectors with a capability of up-regulating the expression of FX-specific lipid transporter proteins was fabricated. The results showed that myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid effectively promoted FX-specific lipid transporter protein expression and formed stable self-assembly complexes with Millard-modified zein (MZ). The FX was sufficiently encapsulated in the MZ-fatty acid (FA) particles, forming spherical nanoparticles with a "core-shell" structure. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion showed that FA introduction significantly increased the FX bioaccessibility. In vivo results further verified that adding FAs dramatically increased the FX serum response concentration. These findings suggest that incorporating nutrients that can promote lipid transporter protein expression into delivery vehicles should be an effective strategy for improving oral carotenoid absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]