Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex Environments
Zein was made flexible through acid-driven deamidation. This increased flexibility was confirmed by the higher release of water-soluble peptides during trypsin hydrolysis. Self-assembled flexible zein nanoparticles (FZNPs) were prepared using the anti-solvent precipitation method. To test the sensit...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| author | Shirong Dong Guangqing Mu |
| author_facet | Shirong Dong Guangqing Mu |
| author_sort | Shirong Dong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Zein was made flexible through acid-driven deamidation. This increased flexibility was confirmed by the higher release of water-soluble peptides during trypsin hydrolysis. Self-assembled flexible zein nanoparticles (FZNPs) were prepared using the anti-solvent precipitation method. To test the sensitivity of FZNPs to complex environment, ionic solutions (CaCl<sub>2</sub> and NaCl) at various concentrations were prepared. The morphology and particle size of FZNPs differed significantly from those of control zein nanoparticles (NZNPs). As the ionic concentration increased from 0 to 15 mmol/L, FZNPs showed higher electrical conductivity and adsorption capacity than NZNPs. This suggests that FZNPs are highly sensitive to complex environment. X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrum (XPS) results revealed that both FZNPs and NZNPs bound more Na<sup>+</sup> than Ca<sup>2+</sup>. The enhanced sensitivity of FZNPs to complex environments may be due to their greater tendency for structural changes. These conformational changes are likely caused by the altered amino acids in flexible zein, which result from deamidation. This study offers a practical approach to designing novel nanoparticles as functional materials for delivering bioactive compounds. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d1022eff9e6543bf8d45eefa0a009d26 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1022eff9e6543bf8d45eefa0a009d262025-08-20T02:53:22ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-03-0114585910.3390/foods14050859Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex EnvironmentsShirong Dong0Guangqing Mu1School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, ChinaZein was made flexible through acid-driven deamidation. This increased flexibility was confirmed by the higher release of water-soluble peptides during trypsin hydrolysis. Self-assembled flexible zein nanoparticles (FZNPs) were prepared using the anti-solvent precipitation method. To test the sensitivity of FZNPs to complex environment, ionic solutions (CaCl<sub>2</sub> and NaCl) at various concentrations were prepared. The morphology and particle size of FZNPs differed significantly from those of control zein nanoparticles (NZNPs). As the ionic concentration increased from 0 to 15 mmol/L, FZNPs showed higher electrical conductivity and adsorption capacity than NZNPs. This suggests that FZNPs are highly sensitive to complex environment. X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrum (XPS) results revealed that both FZNPs and NZNPs bound more Na<sup>+</sup> than Ca<sup>2+</sup>. The enhanced sensitivity of FZNPs to complex environments may be due to their greater tendency for structural changes. These conformational changes are likely caused by the altered amino acids in flexible zein, which result from deamidation. This study offers a practical approach to designing novel nanoparticles as functional materials for delivering bioactive compounds.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/859zeinflexibilityacidic modificationcomplex environmentsensitivitynanoparticle |
| spellingShingle | Shirong Dong Guangqing Mu Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex Environments Foods zein flexibility acidic modification complex environment sensitivity nanoparticle |
| title | Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex Environments |
| title_full | Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex Environments |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex Environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex Environments |
| title_short | Investigation of Self-Assembled Flexible Zein Nanoparticles and Their Sensitivity to Complex Environments |
| title_sort | investigation of self assembled flexible zein nanoparticles and their sensitivity to complex environments |
| topic | zein flexibility acidic modification complex environment sensitivity nanoparticle |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/859 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shirongdong investigationofselfassembledflexiblezeinnanoparticlesandtheirsensitivitytocomplexenvironments AT guangqingmu investigationofselfassembledflexiblezeinnanoparticlesandtheirsensitivitytocomplexenvironments |