Zipei Zhang

Influence of lipid type on gastrointestinal fate of oil-in-water emulsions: In vitro digestion study

The potential gastrointestinal fate of oil-in-water emulsions containing lipid phases from different sources was examined: vegetable oils (corn, olive, sunflower, and canola oil); marine oils (fish and krill oil); flavor oils (orange and lemon oil); and, medium chain triglycerides (MCT). The lowest rates and extents of lipid digestion were observed for emulsified flavor oil, followed by emulsified krill oil. There was no appreciable difference between the final amounts of free fatty acids released for emulsified digestible oils. Differences in the digestibility of emulsions prepared using different oils were attributed to differences in their compositions, e.g., fatty acid chain length and unsaturation. The particle size distribution, particle charge, microstructure, and macroscopic appearance of the emulsions during passage through the simulated GIT depended on oil type. The results of this study may facilitate the design of functional foods that control the digestion and absorption of triglycerides, as well as the bioaccessibility of hydrophobic bioactives.

Encapsulation of lactase (β-galactosidase) into κ-carrageenan-based hydrogel beads: Impact of environmental conditions on enzyme activity.

Encapsulation of enzymes in hydrogel beads may improve their utilization and activity in foods. In this study, the potential of carrageenan hydrogel beads for encapsulating β-galactosidase was investigated. Hydrogel beads were fabricated by injecting an aqueous solution, containing β-galactosidase (26 U) and carrageenan (1 wt%), into a hardening solution (5% potassium chloride). Around 63% of the β-galactosidase was initially encapsulated in the hydrogel beads. Encapsulated β-galactosidase had a higher activity than that of the free enzyme over a range of pH and thermal conditions, which was attributed to the stabilization of the enzyme structure by K(+) ions within the carrageenan beads. Release of the enzyme from the beads was observed during storage in aqueous solutions, which was attributed to the relatively large pore size of the hydrogel matrix. Our results suggest that carrageenan hydrogel beads may be useful encapsulation systems, but further work is needed to inhibit enzyme leakage.

Encapsulation, protection, and release of polyunsaturated lipids using biopolymer-based hydrogel particles

Delivery systems are needed to encapsulate polyunsaturated lipids, protect them within food products, and ensure their bioavailability within the gastrointestinal tract. Hydrogel particles assembled from food-grade biopolymers are particularly suitable for this purpose. In this study, hydrogel microspheres were fabricated by electrostatic complexation of low methoxy pectin and caseinate by decreasing the solution pH from 7 to 4.5. After hydrogel particle formation, the caseinate was enzymatically cross-linked using transglutaminase to improve the stability of the biopolymer matrix. The effect of hydrogel particle encapsulation on the physical location, chemical stability, and lipase digestibility of emulsified polyunsaturated lipids (fish oil) was investigated. The cross-linked hydrogel particles formed using this process were relatively small (D43=4.6μm), negatively charged (ζ=-37mV), and evenly distributed within the system. Confocal microscopy confirmed that the fish oil droplets were trapped within casein-rich hydrogel microspheres. Encapsulation of the fish oil droplets improved their stability to lipid oxidation compared to conventional emulsions, which was attributed to a high local concentration of antioxidant protein around the emulsified lipids. The rate and extent of digestion of the encapsulated lipid droplets within a simulated small intestine were similar to those of non-encapsulated ones. These results suggest that casein-rich hydrogel microspheres may protect polyunsaturated lipids in foods and beverages, but release them after ingestion.

Food-grade nanoparticles for encapsulation, protection and delivery of curcumin: comparison of lipid, protein, and phospholipid nanoparticles under simulated gastrointestinal conditions

The potential of three nanoparticle-based delivery systems to improve curcumin bioavailability was investigated: lipid nPs (nanoemulsions); protein nPs (zein nanosuspensions); and, phospholipid nPs (nanoliposomes). All three nanoparticle types were fabricated from food-grade constituents, had small mean diameters (d phospholipid nPs) and to increase their solubilization within intestinal fluids (lipid nPs > phospholipid nPs > protein nPs). This latter effect was attributed to the enhanced solubilization capacity of the mixed micelle phase formed after digestion of the lipid nanoparticles. Overall, the lipid nanoparticles (nanoemulsions) appeared to be the most effective at increasing the amount of curcumin available for absorption (at an equal initial curcumin level). This study shows that different types of nanoparticles have different advantages and disadvantages for encapsulating, protecting, and releasing curcumin. This research will facilitate the rational selection of food-grade colloidal delivery systems designed to enhance the oral bioavailability of hydrophobic nutraceuticals.

Enhancing Nutraceutical Bioavailability from Raw and Cooked Vegetables Using Excipient Emulsions: Influence of Lipid Type on Carotenoid Bioaccessibility from Carrots

The influence of the nature of the lipid phase in excipient emulsions on the bioaccessibility and transformation of carotenoid from carrots was investigated using a gastrointestinal tract (GIT) model. Excipient emulsions were fabricated using whey protein as an emulsifier and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), fish oil, or corn oil as the oil phase. Changes in particle size, charge, and microstructure were measured as the carrot-emulsion mixtures were passed through simulated mouth, stomach, and small intestine regions. Carotenoid bioaccessibility depended on the type of lipids used to form the excipient emulsions (corn oil > fish oil ≫ MCT), which was attributed to differences in the solubilization capacity of mixed micelles formed from different lipid digestion products. The transformation of carotenoids was greater for fish oil and corn oil than for MCT, which may have been due to greater oxidation or isomerization. The bioaccessibility of the carotenoids was higher from boiled than raw carrots, which was attributed to greater disruption of the plant tissue facilitating carotenoid release. In conclusion, excipient emulsions are highly effective at increasing carotenoid bioaccessibility from carrots, but lipid type must be optimized to ensure high efficacy.

Pasting investigation, SEM observation and the possible interaction study on rice starch–pullulan combination

The pasting properties of rice starch (RS) with high concentration (10%, w/w) were investigated in the presence or absence of pullulan (PUL) using a rapid visco-analyzer (RVA). Addition of pullulan resulted in the reduction of peak viscosity, trough viscosity, final viscosity, and setback value of RS. Furthermore, an interesting phenomenon, i.e. a small viscosity peak appeared in the RVA curves of RS-PUL mixtures, was observed. It indicated that addition of pullulan might suppress the gelatinization of starch granules by maintaining the integration of some granules. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of samples suggested that starch granules could be wrapped by a thin membrane composed of pullulan and/or pullulan-amylose associations. The coating ability of pullulan and/or the possible molecular interactions between pullulan and amylose could be responsible for these results.

Boosting the bioavailability of hydrophobic nutrients, vitamins, and nutraceuticals in natural products using excipient emulsions

Many highly hydrophobic bioactives, such as non-polar nutrients, nutraceuticals, and vitamins, have a relatively low or variable oral bioavailability. The poor bioavailability profile of these bioactives may be due to limited bioaccessibility, poor absorption, and/or chemical transformation within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The bioavailability of hydrophobic bioactives can be improved using specially designed oil-in-water emulsions consisting of lipid droplets dispersed within an aqueous phase. The bioactives may be isolated from their natural environment and then incorporated into the lipid phase of emulsion-based delivery systems. Alternatively, the bioactives may be left in their natural environment (e.g., fruits or vegetables), and then ingested with emulsion-based excipient systems. An excipient emulsion may have no inherent health benefits itself, but it boosts the biological activity of bioactive ingredients co-ingested with it by altering their bioaccessibility, absorption, and/or chemical transformation. This review discusses the design and fabrication of excipient emulsions, and gives some examples of recent research that demonstrates their potential efficacy for improving the bioavailability of hydrophobic bioactives. The concept of excipient emulsions could be used to formulate emulsion-based food products (such as excipient sauces, dressings, dips, creams, or yogurts) specifically designed to increase the bioavailability of bioactive agents in natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

Encapsulation of Pancreatic Lipase in Hydrogel Beads with Self-Regulating Internal pH Microenvironments: Retention of Lipase Activity after Exposure to Gastric Conditions

Oral delivery of lipase is important for individuals with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; however, lipase loses activity when exposed to the highly acidic gastric environment. In this study, pancreatic lipase was encapsulated in hydrogel beads fabricated from alginate (gel former), calcium chloride (cross-linker), and magnesium hydroxide (buffer). Fluorescence confocal microscopy imaging was used to map the pH microclimate within the hydrogel beads under simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions. The pH within buffer-free beads rapidly decreased when they moved from mouth (pH 6.3) to stomach (pH <4), leading to a loss of lipase activity in the small intestine. Conversely, the pH inside buffer-loaded beads remained close to neutral in the mouth (pH 7.33) and stomach (pH 7.39), leading to retention of lipase activity in the small intestine, as shown by pH-stat analysis of lipid digestion. The presence of the encapsulated buffer also reduced bead shrinkage under gastric conditions.

Tailoring lipid digestion profiles using combined delivery systems: mixtures of nanoemulsions and filled hydrogel beads

There is considerable interest within the food and pharmaceutical industries in controlling the rate of lipid digestion within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) to create functional foods with particular physiological effects. In this study, the lipid digestion profile was modulated using mixed colloidal delivery systems containing a mixture of free and encapsulated lipid droplets. Free lipid droplets were fabricated using a microfluidizer to generate an oil-in-water nanoemulsion. Encapsulated lipid droplets were fabricated by injecting a nanoemulsion/alginate solution into a calcium bath to generate filled hydrogel beads. Simulated GIT studies indicated that the rate and extent of lipid digestion was strongly dependent on the ratio of free to encapsulated lipid droplets. Free droplets were digested much more rapidly than encapsulated droplets because it was easier for lipase molecules to come into contact with the droplet surfaces. Varying the ratio of free and encapsulated lipid droplets in the emulsions could therefore be used to control the lipid digestion profile. These mixed colloidal delivery systems may have applications in functional food products designed to modulate triglyceride blood levels, hormone release, and energy intake.

Potential physicochemical basis of Mediterranean diet effect: Ability of emulsified olive oil to increase carotenoid bioaccessibility in raw and cooked tomatoes

Excipient emulsions have compositions and structures specifically designed to increase the bioavailability of nutraceuticals in foods that they are co-ingested with. In this study, olive oil excipient emulsions were shown to significantly increase the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from tomatoes using a simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) model (p<0.05): being 8.18±0.93%, 11.85±1.76% for raw tomato-buffer mixture, and cooked tomato-buffer mixture; While being 32.3±2.60%, 55.7±3.28% and 42.6±3.75% for raw tomato-emulsion mixture, cooked tomato-emulsion mixture (boiled together) and cooked tomato- emulsion mixture (tomato boiled alone). These effects were attributed to: (i) the ability of digested olive oil droplets to form mixed micelles in the small intestine that solubilized the carotenoids; and, (ii) the ability of natural antioxidants (phenolics) in the olive oil to protect the carotenoids from oxidation. Thermal treatment (boiling) significantly increased carotenoid bioaccessibility from the tomatoes digested with emulsion, which was attributed to plant tissue disruption at elevated temperatures facilitating carotenoid release (p<0.05). Carotenoid bioaccessibility was higher when the tomatoes were boiled with emulsions (55.7±3.28%) than when they were boiled alone and then added to emulsions (42.6±3.75%). In conclusion, this study indicates that olive oil emulsions boost the bioaccessibility and chemical stability of lipophilic nutraceuticals in tomatoes, which may make an important contribution to the potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.