Nanoparticles of whey proteins (α-lactalbumin, b-lactoglobulin) prepared by desolvation in ethanol and glutaraldehyde crosslinking are promising carriers for bioactive compounds. The objective of this work was to study the use of these nanoparticles as delivery systems for phycocyanin (PC), which is one of the main pigments of the algae Spirulina. PC is a protein from the phycobiliprotein family characterized by its intense blue color and a structure that includes a non-protein component known as phycocyanobilin. PC scavenges reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and prevents oxidative damage that may explain its beneficial effects. The impact of the nanoencapsulation of PC in protein-based nanoparticles was measured in terms of particle size and size distribution, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency and antioxidant activity.<br/>In all cases, a high average particle yield of 99.63% was obtained. Smaller sizes (~200 nm) can be obtained with the use of a-lactalbumin as wall material. These nanoparticles, with an isoelectric point of 3.7, are very stable at pH values &gt;4.8, based on their ζ-potential, although their antioxidant activity is weak. The highest encapsulation efficiency for PC was around 60%. These results support the idea that biopolymers can be used to design degradable and functional nanoparticles for diverse delivery purposes.<br/>

Encapsulation of valuable algae-based compounds in biopolymeric nanoparticles

255th National Meeting (2018)

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