Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Synthesis of Stimuli-responsive Nanogels using Aqueous One-step Crosslinking and Co-nanopolymerization
Published on: January 24, 2025
Kinetic interactions of nanocomplexes between astaxanthin esters with different molecular structures and
Xing Qiao1, Lu Yang1, Jiayu Gu1
1College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No. 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China.
Abstract:
The influence of different fatty acid carbon chains on the kinetic interactions of nanocomplexes between esterified astaxanthin (E-Asta) and β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) were investigated by multi-spectroscopy and molecular modeling techniques. We synthesized ten different E-Asta bound to β-Lg and formed nanocomplexes (< 300 nm). Fluorescence spectroscopy showed moderate affinities (binding constants Ka = 103-104 M-1). Docosahexaenoic acid astaxanthin monoester (Asta-C22:6) had the strongest binding affinity towards β-Lg (Ka = 3.77 × 104 M-1). The fluorescence quenching of β-Lg upon binding of E-Asta displayed a static mechanism, with binding sites (n) equal to 1. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy revealed that E-Asta might enter the β-Lg hydrophobic cavity, leading to unfolding of the peptide chain skeleton. In summary, β-Lg and E-Asta can form stable nanocomplex emulsions to achieve an effective delivery process for E-Asta.
