Improving the properties of whey protein isolate-zein nanogels with novel acidifiers: Re-dispersity, stability and quercetin bioavailability.

Low bioavailability of quercetin (Que) reduces its preclinical and clinical benefits. In order to improve Que bioavailability, a novel whey protein isolate (WPI)-zein nanogel was prepared by pH-driven self-assembly and heat-induced gelatinization. The results showed that hydrochloric acid can be substituted by both acetic acid and citric acid during the pH-driven process. After encapsulation, the bioavailability of Que in nanogels (composed of 70 % WPI) induced by different acidifiers increased to 19.89 % (citric acid), 21.65 % (hydrochloric acid) and 24.34 % (acetic acid), respectively. Comparatively, nanogels induced by acetic acid showed higher stability (pH and storage stability), re-dispersibility (75.62 %), Que bioavailability (24.34 %), and antioxidant capacity (36.78 % for DPPH scavenging rates). s improved performance of nanogels. In mechanism, acetic acid significantly balanced different intermolecular forces by weakening "acid-induced denaturation" effect. Moreover, the faster binding of Que and protein as well as higher protein molecular flexibility and randomness (higher ratio of random coil) was also observed in nanogels induced by acetic acid. All of these changes contributed to improve nanogels performances. Overall, WPI-zein nanogels induced by acetic acid might be a safe, efficiency and stable delivery system to improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic active ingredients.