Inspite of the widespread recognition of the bioactivity of polyphenols, theirbioefficacy is still a source of debate. The bioavailability of polyphenols isa key factor that determines their biological functions in vivo. EGCG, a green tea-derived polyphenol, has been shown tosuppress cancer cell proliferation. When tea is mixed with milk, tea catechinsare incorporated into the casein micelles. Casein nanoparticles can load asubstantial amount of catechins within their supramolecular structure but thebiological significance of this nano-encapsulation is not fully understood. Inthis study, the biological efficacy of the catechin-milk protein complexes wastested using HT-29 colon cancer cells. The results showed that these complexesstill caused a decrease in the proliferation of HT-29 cells, although to adifferent extent than catechins in isolation. The role played by the serumcomponents of milk and the whey proteins in the bioefficacy of catechinsagainst HT29 proliferation is also different.

Nano-encapsulation
of polyphenols by milk caseins

241st National Meeting (2011)

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