Fabrication, characterization and properties of DHA-loaded nanoparticles based on zein and PLGA

This study focused on the feasibility of delivering docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) via zein/ Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid stabilized nanoparticles (ZPDNPs). ZPDNPs with good encapsulation efficiency, water solubility, and chemical instability were prepared by the antisolvent precipitation method. The structure and interaction force of ZPDNPs was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism, X-ray powder diffraction, and FTIR. The stabilities of ZPDNPs for heating, pH, NaCl aqueous solution were also investigated. The results showed that ZPDNPs can improve the water solubility (750-fold), salt tolerance, and heat-resistant processing stability of DHA. The ZPDNPs had high encapsulation efficiency (84.6%) and stability after 35 days of storage. The simulated digestion of the gastrointestinal tract can change particle size, interface potential, and aggregation state of different DHA nanoparticles. The bioavailability of ZPDNPs was 4.2 ~ 5.6-folds higher than free DHA. Overall, a useful method for ZPDNPs formulation was developed for the delivery of DHA.