The role of polysaccharides in improving the functionality of zein coated nanocarriers: Implications for colloidal stability under environmental stresses

Zein has gained popularity over the past few years as an incredible food and bio-based materials. The potential functions and health benefits of zein microcapsules or micro-/nanoparticles in bioactive components delivery, structured emulsion, etc., have received great attention. However, the development has been limited by colloidal destabilization, especially when thermal processing is involved. There is a recent trend in developing zein-polysaccharide complexes (ZPCs), which has tremendously improved the performance of zein-based colloidal carrier systems or emulsions. Increasing our understanding of zein interactions and their contribution to the structure of various macromolecules can help us to develop novel biomaterials that can be used in food, agriculture, biomedicine, and cosmetics. In addition, these nanocarriers are suitable for the encapsulation and delivery of bioactive compounds which have positive perspective in food industry. Therefore, this article aimed to review recent advances in the ZPCs that can be applied to functional or health-promoting foods, with a focus on the characteristics of different ZPCs, factors and mechanisms affecting the stability (especially thermal stability) of these complexes, and their application in food industry as a carrier for BCs. Further, the stability of ZPCs based emulsions under processing and physiological environments, as well some typical effective methods are introduced. Also, the principal challenges and prospects were enumerated and discussed.