Synthesis of ZIF-67 Nanoparticles for Camel Whey Protein Delivery: Promising Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory,...

Camel whey protein (CWP) offers various health benefits, including immune enhancement, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial properties. It also possesses antioxidant activity. However, its limited efficacy and stability restrict its broader application. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline materials composed of multiple organic groups and metal ions, known for their unique structural properties. In this study, we aimed to synthesize and evaluate the biological activity of a CWP-Co-MOF conjugate. The structural characterization of the synthesized materials was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The comparison of the XRD and FTIR patterns of ZIF-67, CWP and CWP-Co-MOF conjugate indicate successful conjugation of CWP with ZIF-67, confirming the structural integrity of the conjugate. The EDX maps further corroborate the effective conjugation of CWP with ZIF-67. The conjugated CWP-MOF nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited promising antioxidant activity, as assessed by the DPPH assay. Furthermore, they showed more potent anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells and superior anticancer activity against HepG2 and Caco-2 cell lines, as determined by the MTT assay and flow cytometry, compared to free CWP. Additionally, the CWP-MOF-NPs exhibited enhanced antimicrobial properties and increased efficacy as an anti-biofilm agent against pathogenic bacteria.