The silibinin-loaded Zein-ß cyclodextrin nano-carriers (SZBC-NCs) as a novel selective cancer cell drug delivery system in HT-29 cell line.

Entrapping phytochemical bioactive compounds into nano-structured biocompatible polymers has been successfully utilized for improving cancer treatment efficiency. Silibinin is a potent compound that shows promising anticancer properties. In the present study, the Zein-ß-cyclodextrin complex was used to encapsulate silibinin and evaluate the induced cell death type and cytotoxic impacts on human cancer cells. The silibinin-loaded Zein-ß cyclodextrin nano-carriers (SZBC-NCs) were synthesized utilizing a gradual ultrasound-mediated homogenization technique and characterized by Zeta potential, DLS, FESEM, and FTIR analysis. The SZBC-NCs' antioxidant activity was studied by conducting ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays. Finally, the SZBC-NCs selective toxicity and cellular death induction mechanism were studied on the HT-29 and AGS cancer cells by measuring the cell survival and apoptotic gene (Caspase 3, 9), respectively, which were verified by conducting the DAPI staining analysis. The negatively charged (- 27.47 mV) nanoparticles (286.55 nm) showed significant ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the remarkable decrease in the IC50 concentrations of the SZBC-NCs among the HT-29 and AGS cancer cell lines exhibited their selective cytotoxic potential. Also, the overexpressed apoptotic (Caspases 3 and 9) and down-regulated necrotic (NFKB) gene expressions following the SZBC-NCs treatment doses indicated the apoptotic activity of SZBC-NCs, which were verified by the increased apoptotic morphology of the DAPI-stained HT-29 cancer cells. The antioxidant and colon cancer cell-related apoptotic activity of the SZBC-NCs make it an appropriate anti-colon cancer nano delivery system. Therefore, they can potentially be used as a safe efficient colon cancer treatment strategy. However, further in vivo experiments including animal cancer models have to be studied.

Chitosan/zein-based sustained-release composite films: Fabrication, physicochemical properties and release kinetics of tea polyphenols from polymer matrix.

This study investigated the properties of chitosan/zein/tea polyphenols (C/Z/T) films and analyzed the release kinetics of tea polyphenols (TP) in various food simulants to enhance the sustainability and functionality of food packaging. The results revealed that TP addition enhanced the hydrophilicity, opacity and mechanical properties of film, and improved the compatibility between film matrix. 1.5 % TP film showed the lowest lightness (76.4) and the highest chroma (29.1), while 2 % TP film had the highest hue angle (1.5). However, the excessive TP (above 1 % concentration) led to a decrease in compatibility and mechanical properties of film. The TP concentration (2 %) resulted in the highest swelling degree in aqueous (750.6 %), alcoholic (451.1 %), and fatty (6.4 %) food simulants. The cumulative release of TP decreased to 16.32 %, 47.13 %, and 5.87 % with the increase of TP load in the aqueous, alcoholic, and fatty food simulants, respectively. The Peleg model best described TP release kinetics. The 2 % TP-loaded film showed the highest DPPH (97.13 %) and ABTS (97.86 %) free radical scavenging activity. The results showed TP release influenced by many factors and obeyed Fick's law of diffusion. This study offered valuable insights and theoretical support for the practical application of active films.

Advanced ethylene-absorbing and cushioning depending on the 3D porous-structured fruit packaging: Toward polyurethane foam manipulation using zein and soybean oil polyol substrates.

Fruits are essential sources of nutrients in our daily diet; however, their spoilage is often intensified by mechanical damage and the ethylene phytohormone, resulting in significant economic losses and exacerbating hunger issues. To address these challenges, this study presented a straightforward in situ synthesis protocol for producing Z/SOPPU foam, a 3D porous-structured fruit packaging. This innovative packaging material offered advanced ethylene-adsorbing and cushioning capabilities achieved through stirring, heating, and standing treatments. The results demonstrated that the Z/SOPPU foam, with its porous structure, served as an excellent packaging material for fruits, maintaining the intact appearance of tomatoes even after being thrown 72 times from a height of 1.5 m. Additionally, it exhibited desirable hydrophobicity (contact angle of 114.31 ± 0.82°), degradability (2.73 ± 0.88 % per 4 weeks), and efficient ethylene adsorption (adsorption rate of 13.2 ± 1.7 mg/m3/h). These remarkable characteristics could be attributed to the unique 3D micron-porous configuration, consisting of soybean oil polyol polyurethane foam for mechanical strain cushioning and zein for enhanced ethylene adsorption efficiency. Overall, this research offers an effective and original approach to the rational design and fabrication of advanced bio-based fruit packaging.

Cryoprotective isoliquiritigenin-zein phosphatidylcholine nanoparticles inhibits breast cancer-bone metastasis by targeting JAK-STAT signaling pathways.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and is known for its tendency to spread to the bones, causing significant health issues and mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether cryoprotective isoliquiritigenin-zein phosphatidylcholine nanoparticles (ISL@ZLH NPs) could inhibit BC-induced bone destruction and tumor metastasis in both in vitro and animal models. To evaluate the potential of ISL@ZLH NPs, we conducted various experiments. First, we assessed cell viability, colony formation, transwell migration, and wound healing assays to determine the impact of ISL@ZLH NPs on BC cell behavior. Western blotting, TRAP staining and ALP activity were performed to examine the effects of ISL@ZLH NPs on osteoclast formation induced by MDA-MB-231 cell-conditioned medium and RANKL treated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, we assessed the therapeutic impact of ISL@ZLH NPs on tumor-induced bone destruction using a mouse model of BC bone metastasis. Treatment with ISL@ZLH NPs effectively suppressed BC cell proliferation, colony formation, and motility, reducing their ability to metastasize. ISL@ZLH NPs significantly inhibited osteoclast formation and the expression of factors associated with bone destruction in BC cells. Additionally, ISL@ZLH NPs suppressed JAK-STAT signaling in RAW264.7 cells. In the BCBM mouse model, ISL@ZLH NPs led to a significant reduction in osteolytic bone lesions compared to the control group. Histological analysis and TRAP staining confirmed that ISL@ZLH NPs preserved the integrity of bone structure, preventing invasive metastasis by confining tumor growth to the bone marrow cavity. Furthermore, ISL@ZLH NPs effectively suppressed tumor-induced osteoclastogenesis, a key process in BC-related bone destruction. Our findings demonstrate that ISL@ZLH NPs have the potential to inhibit BC-induced bone destruction and tumor metastasis by targeting JAK-STAT signaling pathways and suppressing tumor-induced osteoclastogenesis. These results underscore the therapeutic promise of ISL@ZLH NPs in managing BC metastasis to the bones.

Electrospraying and electrospinning of tannic acid-loaded zein: Characterization and antioxidant effects in astrocyte culture exposed to E. coli lipopolysaccharide.

Tannic acid (TA) exhibits low bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract, limiting its benefits due to small amounts reaching the CNS. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop zein capsules and fibers by electrospraying/electrospinning for encapsulation of TA. Polymeric solutions were evaluated by electrical conductivity, density, and viscosity. In zein capsules, up to 2 % TA was added, and in fibers, up to 1 % TA was added. Zein capsule and fiber with TA were evaluated by morphology, size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, thermal and thermogravimetric properties, and functional groups. Zein capsule with 1.5 % TA was evaluated in astrocyte culture for cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity. TA zein capsules and fibers exhibited high encapsulation efficiency and homogeneous morphology. TA encapsulated in zein presented higher thermal stability than free TA. TA zein capsule did not present toxicity and elicited antioxidant action in lipopolysaccharide-induced astrocyte culture. Capsules and fibers were successfully produced by electrospraying/electrospinning techniques.

Oregano essential oil encapsulated in zein-pectin-chitosan nanoparticles to improve the storage quality of Harbin red sausage.

In this study, the effect of oregano essential oil loaded in zein-pectin-chitosan (Zein-PC-CS-OEO) nanoparticles on the quality of Harbin red sausage during storage was examined. Zein-PC-CS-OEO nanoparticles exhibit the better encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant and antibacterial properties than these of other prepared nanoparticles, which were subsequently incorporated into Harbin red sausage with different concentrations. The physicochemical properties, bacterial community structure, and flavor characteristics of the Harbin red sausage were determined. Both thiobarbituric acid values and the growth of dominant spoilage bacteria in Harbin red sausage are inhibited by Zein-PC-CS-OEO nanoparticles, while the total aerobic bacteria count is reduced. These results indicate that the storage quality of Harbin red sausage is improved by Zein-PC-CS-OEO nanoparticles. It is worth noting that the shelf life of Harbin red sausage supplemented with 0.1 % Zein-PC-CS-OEO nanoparticles is extended to 9 d, and the flavor characteristics of which are better maintained. This study provides a new approach to extend the application of essential oil and improve the storage quality of Harbin red sausage.

In vitro and in silico investigation of glycyrrhizic acid encapsulated zein nanoparticles: A synergistic targeted drug delivery approach for breast cancer.

This study presents an innovative approach for targeted drug delivery through the development of Glycyrrhizic acid-loaded zein nanoparticles (GA-LNPs) as a proficient carrier system. The juxtaposition of zein, a hydrophobic biological macromolecule as a protein carrier, and Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a hydrophilic therapeutic compound, exemplifies the adaptability of hydrocolloids within cutting-edge drug delivery systems. The characterization and functional traits of research encompass multifaceted analyses of natural macromolecules, which elucidate the homogeneous and spherical morphology of GA-LNPs with an average size of 170.49 nm. The controlled drug release profile of GA, orchestrated under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, adheres to diffusion-based Higuchi kinetics, reflecting the controlled release of the natural macromolecules. The intermolecular interactions among Zein, GA, and cross-linker EDC, facilitated through molecular dynamics simulations, fortify the structural integrity of the encapsulation matrix. In Vitro studies revealed enhanced cellular uptake of GA-LNPs in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This cellular internalization was further confirmed through cytotoxicity assessments using MTT and apoptosis assays (fluorescence microscopy), which demonstrated the prominent anticancer effects of GA-LNPs on MCF-7 in time/dose-dependent manner. The successful formulation of GA-LNPs, coupled with their sustained release and potent anticancer properties, makes them a potential platform for advanced targeted therapeutic strategies in biomedical applications.

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: The Promising Horizon of Zein Nanosystems.

Various nanomaterials have recently become fascinating tools in cancer diagnostic applications because of their multifunctional and inherent molecular characteristics that support efficient diagnosis and image-guided therapy. Zein nanoparticles are a protein derived from maize. It belongs to the class of prolamins possessing a spherical structure with conformational properties similar to those of conventional globular proteins like ribonuclease and insulin. Zein nanoparticles have gained massive interest over the past couple of years owing to their natural hydrophilicity, ease of functionalization, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, thereby improving oral bioavailability, nanoparticle targeting, and prolonged drug administration. Thus, zein nanoparticles are becoming a promising candidate for precision cancer drug delivery. This review highlights the clinical significance of applying zein nanosystems for cancer theragnostic─moreover, the role of zein nanosystems for cancer drug delivery, anticancer agents, and gene therapy. Finally, the difficulties and potential uses of these NPs in cancer treatment and detection are discussed. This review will pave the way for researchers to develop theranostic strategies for precision medicine utilizing zein nanosystems.

Enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial activities of chitosan/zein nanoparticle Pickering emulsion-incorporated chitosan coatings in the presence of cinnamaldehyde and tea polyphenol.

Pickering emulsions were prepared by using zein/chitosan nanoparticles as stabilizer and then incorporated into chitosan coatings. To improve the stability and performances, tea polyphenol and cinnamaldehyde (CA) were used to modulate the formation and functionalities of Pickering emulsions. The oil phase in Pickering emulsions were set at 5 % and 20 % to alter the hydrophobicity of chitosan coatings. Physical, structural, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of chitosan coatings with Pickering emulsions were characterized. Tea polyphenol significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity of chitosan coatings from 2.09 % to 57.61 % of DPPH value and from 2.63 % to 38.85 % of ABTS value. CA effectively increased the antibacterial activity of chitosan coatings against S. aureus and E. coli. Under 20 % oil content, the inhibition zones on S. aureus and E. coli increased from 3.03 ± 0.23 mm to 18.39 ± 1.22 mm and 7.66 ± 1.61 mm to 15.70 ± 1.75 mm, respectively. The preservative effect of chitosan coatings on fresh pork was further confirmed that the shelf-life of fresh pork could be extended by >4 days. These results suggested a great potential application of Pickering emulsion-incorporated chitosan coatings in the preservation of fresh pork.

Synthesis, physiochemical characterization, molecular docking study, and anti-breast cancer activity of silymarin loaded zein nanoparticles.

Breast cancer is a major cause of death in women worldwide leading to requirement of new therapeutic strategies. Silymarin demonstrated the anti-cancer activity however, due to low bioavailability its use is restricted. This study aimed to improve the solubility of silymarin by developing a silymarin loaded zein nanoparticles (SLNPs) which was stabilized by beta cyclodextrin. Comprehensive physiochemical characterization studies based on DLS, FTIR, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, NMR and TGA confirmed the successful synthesis of SLNPs via an anti-solvent precipitation method. FE-SEM and TEM images demonstrated the uniform size and spherical shape of nanoparticles with encapsulation and loading efficiencies of 84.32 ± 1.9 % and 15.25 ± 2.4 % respectively. The zein protein interaction with silymarin, and ß-cyclodextrin was shown to be beneficial via the use of molecular simulations and binding energy calculations. Cellular studies demonstrated dose and time dependent cytotoxicity of SLNPs on MCF-7 breast cancer cell. FACS, qRT-PCR and Western blotting showed Bax (pro-apoptotic) upregulation while Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic) downregulation. Our findings suggest that these loaded nanoparticles are more efficient than pure drug, enhancing its bioavailability and paving the path for developing it as a promising nutraceutical to treat breast cancer.

Zein and tannic acid hybrid particles improving physical stability, controlled release properties, and antimicrobial activity of cinnamon essential oil loaded Pickering emulsions.

Pickering emulsion loading essential oil has demonstrated a promising strategy as delivery system in food preservation, but localization in stability and antimicrobial activity limits application. In this study, Pickering emulsions co-loaded with tannic acid and cinnamon essential oil (ZTC) have been developed based on zein and tannic acid complexes (ZT) mediated interfacial engineering. Fourier transform infrared, fluorescence spectroscopy, and molecular docking results indicated tannic acid altered the structural of zein. Interfacial tension results indicated that tannic acid accelerated the adsorbed speed of zein particles by decreased interfacial tension (11.99-9.96 mN/m). ZT5 formed a viscoelastic and dense layer in oil-water interface than that for other ZTs, which improved stability and control release performance of ZTC. Furthermore, the ZTC showed an effective antimicrobial activity against spoilage organisms Pseudomonad paralactis MN10 and Lactobacillus sakei VMR17. These findings provide new insight for developing co-loaded multiple antimicrobial agents within Pickering emulsion as a delivery system.

Confining the Growth of AgNPs onto Epigallocatechin Gallate-Decorated Zein Nanoparticles for Constructing Potent Protein-Based Antibacterial Nanocomposites.

Sliver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted tremendous interest as an alternative to commercially available antibiotics due to their low microbial resistance and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. However, AgNPs are highly reactive and unstable and are susceptible to fast oxidation. Synthesizing stable and efficient AgNPs using green chemistry principles remains a major challenge. To address this issue, we establish a facile route to form AgNP-doped zein nanoparticle core-satellite superstructures with ultralow minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). In brief, polyphenol surface-functionalization of zein nanoparticles was performed, and the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) layer on zein nanoparticles served as a reducing-cum-stabilizing agent. We used EGCG-decorated zein nanoparticles (ZE) as a template to direct the nucleation and growth of AgNPs to develop metallized hybrid nanoparticles (ZE-Ag). The highly monodispersed core-satellite nanoparticles (∼150 nm) decorated with ∼4.9 nm AgNPs were synthesized successfully. The spatial restriction of EGCG by zein nanoparticles confined the nucleation and growth of AgNPs only on the surface of the particles, which prevented the formation of entangled clusters of polyphenols and AgNPs and concomitantly inhibited the coalescence and oxidation of AgNPs. Thus, this strategy improved the effective specific surface area of AgNPs, and as a result, ZE-Ag efficiently killed the indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) after 20 min of incubation, with MBCs of 2 and 4 µg/mL, respectively. This situation indicated that as-prepared core-satellite nanoparticles possessed potent short-term sterilization capability. Moreover, the simulated wound infection model also confirmed the promising application of ZE-Ag as an efficient antimicrobial composite. This work provides new insights into the synthesis and emerging application of AgNPs in food preservation, packaging, biomedicine, and catalysis.

Investigation of physicochemical and biological properties of bacterial cellulose & zein-reinforced edible nanocomposites based on flaxseed mucilage containing Origanum vulgare L. essential oil.

In the present study, the effect of zein and different amounts of bacterial cellulose (BC; 1, 2 and 3 wt%) on the physical, mechanical and barrier properties of flaxseed mucilage/carboxymethyl cellulose (FM/CMC) composite was investigated. The appearance of the absorption band at 1320cm-1 in the ATR-FTIR spectra of nanocomposites indicated the successful introduction of zein into their structure. The characteristic peak at 2θ of 9° belonging to zein disappeared in XRD patterns of the prepared composites suggesting the successful coating of zein via hydrogen bonding interactions. SEM images proved the formation of semi-spherical zein microparticles in the FM/CMC matrix. TGA plots ascertained the addition of zein and nanocellulose caused a significant increase in the thermal stability of FM/CMC film, although zein showed a greater effect. The presence of zein and nanocellulose increased the mechanical strength of nanocomposites. The WVP of FM/CMC decreased after the incorporation of zein and nanocellulose, which created a tortuous path for the diffusion of water molecules. The zein particles exhibited a greater influence on improving the mechanical and barrier properties compared to nanocellulose. FM/CMC-Z film exhibited the highest mechanical strength (49.07 ± 5.89 MPa) and the lowest WVP (1.179 ± 0.076). The composites containing oregano essential oil (EO) showed higher than 60 % antibacterial properties. The bactericidal efficiency of FM/CMC/Z-EO and FM/CMC/Z-EO/BC1 nanocomposites decreased about 10% compared to FM/CMC/EO and FM/CMC-Z/BC1. This evidenced the successful encapsulation of EO molecules in zein particles. According to the in vitro release study, entrapment of EO into zein particles could delay the release and provide the extended antimicrobial effect.

Effect of tannic acid modification on the interface and emulsification properties of zein colloidal particles.

BACKGROUND: Interface modification driven by supramolecular self-assembly has been accepted as a valuable strategy for emulsion stabilization enhancement. However, there has been a dearth of comparative research on the effect of simple complexation and assembly from the perspective of the responsible mechanism. RESULTS: The present study selected zein and tannic acid (TA) as representative protein and polyphenol modules for self-assembly (coined as TA-modified zein particle and TA-zein complex particle) to explore the surface properties and interfacial behavior, as well as the stability of constructed Pickering emulsions to obtain the regulation law of different modification methods on the interfacial behavior of colloidal particles. The results demonstrated that TA-modified zein colloidal particles potentially improved the emulsifying properties. When the TA concentration was 3 mmol L-1 , the optimized TA-modified zein particle was nano-sized (109.83 nm) and had advantageous interfacial properties, including sharply reduced surface hydrophobicity, as well as a low diffusion rate at the oil/water interface. As a result, the shelf life of Pickering emulsion containing 50% oil phase was extended to 90 days. CONCLUSION: Through multi-angled research on the properties of the interfacial membrane, improvement of emulsion stability was a result of the formation of viscoelastic interfacial film that resulted from the decrease of absorption rate between particles and interface. Using refined regulation to investigate the role of different sample preparation methods from a mechanistic perspective. Overall, the present study has provided a reference for TA to regulate the surface properties and interface behavior of zein colloidal particles, enriched the understanding of colloidal interface assembly, and provided a theoretical basis for the quality control of interface-oriented food systems. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nanofibers based on zein protein loaded with tungsten oxide for cancer therapy: fabrication, characterization and in vitro evaluation.

Plant proteins have become attractive for biomedical applications such as wound dressing and drug delivery. In this research, nanofibers from pristine zein (plant protein) and zein loaded with tungsten oxide (WO3) were prepared (WO3@zein) using less toxic solvents (ethanol and acetic acid). Morphological and biological properties of the zein nanofiber were determined. Prepared nanofibers were defined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (X-RD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy. The average fiber diameter was unchanged with an increase in WO3 concentration from 0.001 to 0.008%. FT-IR spectroscopy and X-RD indicated the presence of WO3 in WO3@zein nanofibers. In comparison to WO3-free, WO3@zein nanofibers showed higher safety and preserved the anticancer effect of WO3 against human melanoma cell line (A375) melanoma cells compared to WO3-free. Moreover, both WO3-free and WO3@zein caused a fourfold increase in the cellular proliferation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the treated A375 cells compared to untreated cells. ROS elevation led to apoptosis-dependent cell death of A375 cells as evidenced by up-regulating the expression of p53-downstream genes (p21 and Bax) (tumor-suppressor gene) while down-regulating the expression of key oncogenes (BCL2 and cyclin D). In conclusion, the prepared nanofiber represents a promising and safe candidate for anticancer applications.

In situ extraction/encapsulation of olive leaves antioxidants in zein for improved oxidative stability of edible oils.

This study presents a sustainable and cost-effective method for preserving the bioactivity of phenolic compounds in olive leaves (OLE) during their application. The extraction and nanoencapsulation of OLE were performed in a single-step process using a rotor-stator system with zein as the encapsulating agent. The nanoprecipitation step was carried out using an aqueous sodium caseinate solution, resulting in spherical particles with an average diameter of about 640 nm, as confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy. Thermal characterization showed that the produced nanoparticles were more thermally stable than free OLE until 250 °C, and FTIR spectra indicated effective interaction between the phenolic compounds and zein. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using TBARS, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, with results showing that encapsulated OLE had lower antioxidant activity than free OLE. The best antioxidant capacity results were determined by TBARS assay, with IC50 results equal to 43 and 103 µgOLE/mL for free and encapsulated OLE, respectively. No anti-inflammatory potential was detected for both samples using the RAW 264.7 model, and only free OLE showed cytotoxic activity against lung cancer and gastric carcinoma. Encapsulated and free OLE were used as antioxidants in soy, palm, and palm kernel oils and compared to BHT using Rancimat. The Schaal Oven Test was also performed, and the PARAFAC chemometric method analyzed the UV-Vis spectra, which revealed high stability of the oil when 300 mg or the nanoparticles were added per kg oil. Results suggested that zein-encapsulated olive leaf antioxidants can improve the oxidative stability of edible oils.

Fabrication and characterization of a novel zein/pectin/pumpkin seed oil Pickering emulsion and the effects of myricetin on oxidation stability.

In this study, zein/pectin/pumpkin seed oil (PSO) Pickering emulsions (ZPPEs) were fabricated loading with myricetin (MYT), and the quality control methods of oxidation stability were innovatively investigated. The microstructure and particle properties of zein-pectin particles were determined. The zein to pectin ratio of 5:3 and oil phase fraction (φ = 50 %) turned out as the most optimal conditions for the stabilization of myricetin-loaded ZPPEs. The expected oil-in-water emulsion-type structure was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The internal 3D structure of Pickering emulsions (Lugol's solution improved the water-phase contrast) was imaged by micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) for the first time. Results showed a sponge like structure of water phase in emulsion with 42 µm as mean droplet size. Light-induced oxidation was evaluated with the PetroOxy method and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. Encapsuling ZPPEs with MYT could prevent the light induced oxidation, especially, loading of MYT at the core of the emulsion. The analysis of Electronic nose (E-nose) was used to analyze the odor before and after UV-induced oxidation, and showed a good discrimination. This study provided a new approach to prepare ZPPEs with high oxidation stability. Micro-CT, PetroOxy and E-nose could be new methods for characterization and quality assessment of Pickering emulsions.

Pickering emulsions prepared using zein-sugarcane leaves polyphenol covalent crosslinking nanoparticles via ultrasonication: Capacities in storage stability, lipid oxidation, in vitro digestion and safety evaluation.

This study firstly used sugarcane leaf polyphenols (SGLp) to modify zein to form covalent nanoparticles (SGLpZ) and used SGLpZ as an emulsifier to stabilize pickering emulsions (SZP) via ultrasonic method. The results showed that the addition of SGLp could alter the physicochemical properties of zein, including improving increasing the hydrophilicity of zein and the antioxidant properties of zein (three basic antioxidant activities test in vitro). SGLpZ could be able to form a dense film on the surface of the pickering emulsions which inhibited lipid oxidation as the concentration of SGLp increased at 4 ℃ for 20 days, thus stabilizing pickering emulsions (SZP). Further assessment of storage stability of pickering emulsions stabilized by SGLp was evaluated via measuring the free fatty acids (FFA) release in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The results showed that the FFA release of SZP decreased from 20.61 ± 0.10% to 16.14 ± 0.69%. In addition, SGLp gave SZP a yellow color, which inspired that SZP could be used in the food industry to make yellow-colored functional foods. Finally, the safety of SZP initially assessed by in-vitro hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity (MTT) assays. In conclusion, our fingdings were beneficial for the further design and development of SGLp in food fields and enabled the development a new type in functional protein-plant polyphenols food pickering emulsions.

Stable encapsulation of camellia oil in core-shell zein nanofibers fabricated by emulsion electrospinning.

This study aimed to develop core-shell nanofibers by emulsion electrospinning using zein-stabilized emulsions to encapsulate camellia oil effectively. The increasing oil volume fraction (φ from 10% to 60%) increased the apparent viscosity and average droplet size of emulsions, resulting in the average diameter of electrospun fibers increasing from 124.5 nm to 286.2 nm. The oil droplets as the core were randomly distributed in fibers in the form of beads, and the core-shell structure of fibers was observed in TEM images. FTIR indicated that hydrogen bond interactions occurred between zein and camellia oil molecules. The increasing oil volume fraction enhanced the thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and water stability of electrospun nanofiber films. The core-shell nanofibers with 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60% camellia oil showed encapsulation efficiency of 78.53%, 80.25%, 84.52%, and 84.39%, respectively, and had good storage stability. These findings contribute to developing zein-based core-shell electrospun fibers to encapsulate bioactive substances.

Investigation of the binding interactions mechanism between zein with chrysin by multispectroscopic techniques.

As a natural carrier protein, zein was intensively studied for the construction of a flavonoid delivery system. Chrysin has presented superior tumor-resistant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation potentials among the flavonoid candidates in clinical practice. However, due to inadequate research, the binding mechanism and structural affinity of zein to chrysin are still indeterminate. Therefore, multispectral methods were employed to explore the molecular interaction of zein and chrysin in this work. These techniques showed that chrysin reduced the intrinsic fluorescence of zein via a static process and that the interaction between zein and chrysin was mainly driven spontaneously by hydrophobic forces. Additionally, the experimental results revealed the changed microenvironment in the vicinity of tyrosine and affected secondary structure in the presence of chrysin, indicating zein's conformation were altered by chrysin. This work provided comprehensive insight into the combination of plant-derived protein (zein) and flavonoids (chrysin) and helped rationalize the protection, transportation, and release of chrysin through a zein-based delivery system.