Biogenetic nanocarriers with enhanced pH stability formed by zein and selectively depolymerized mushroom...

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Biochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Pleurotus tuber-regium yields a hyperbranched β-glucan (PTR-HBPS) with a high degree of branching (0.69) and molecular weight (31.2 × 10⁵ g/mol).
• PTR-HBPS possesses mixed glucosidic linkages (β-1,4; β-1,4,6; β-1,6) and a triple helical structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enzymatically depolymerize PTR-HBPS to obtain low molecular weight fractions.
• To characterize the structural changes in depolymerized fractions.
• To evaluate the potential of these fractions as nanocarriers.

Main Methods:

• Enzymatic depolymerization of PTR-HBPS using cellulase (yielding PC fractions) and β-glucosidase (yielding PG fractions).
• Characterization of molecular weight (Mw), degree of branching (DB), and structural integrity (glycosidic linkages, helical structure).
• Fabrication and stability testing of nanoparticles using PC fractions and zein.

Main Results:

• Depolymerization yielded PC (Mw 2.74 × 10⁵ g/mol) and PG (Mw 3.98 × 10⁵ g/mol) fractions.
• PC fractions retained native structural characteristics (DB, linkages, helical structure).
• PG fractions showed reduced DB (0.63) and lost helical structure; PC-zein nanoparticles exhibited enhanced pH stability.

Conclusions:

• Enzymatically depolymerized PTR-HBPS fractions, particularly PC, maintain structural integrity.
• These low Mw β-glucans are promising candidates for developing stable nanocarriers for food applications.
• The study highlights the potential of PTR-HBPS derivatives in food nanotechnology.