Work

Zein/chitosan nanocomplexes loaded with polyphenols from Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua improve Pickering emulsion stability and β-carotene protection

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Zein/Chitosan/ Polygonatum cyrtonema polyphenol nanoparticles were prepared. • The nanoparticles significantly enhanced the stability of P. cyrtonema polyphenols. • Pickering emulsions stabilized by ZCP-PCPP nanoparticles exhibited excellent lipid oxidation stability. • The addition of ZCP-PCPP improved the resistance of β-carotene in emulsions against UV light and temperature. • This work contributes to the new methods of polyphenol protection and delivery systems. This study successfully developed a ternary ZCP-PCPP nanocomposite using zein (ZN), chitosan (CS), and the polyphenols extracted from Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (PCPP) to stabilize Pickering emulsions. The optimal ZN-CS was 2:1, which resulted in the ZCP-PCPP nanocomposite with the strongest encapsulation ability for PCPP, uniform particle size, and strong structural stability. Infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction confirmed that ZN, CS, and PCPP interacted mainly through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic forces. Stability analyses demonstrated that ZCP-PCPP markedly enhanced the physical stability and oxidative resistance of the emulsions. Furthermore, ZCP-PCPP nanoparticles at 3–5% (w/v) effectively protected β-carotene against thermal and ultraviolet degradation. These findings highlight that combining natural polymers with bioactive polyphenols provides an efficient strategy for producing stable Pickering emulsions with strong antioxidant protection potential.

Source: Applied Food Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.afres.2025.101655