Lipid Droplet-Mediated Extraction of Perilla Seed Oil: Stability, Absorbability and Carrier Potential

Perilla seed oil (PSO), rich in unsaturated α-linolenic acid, faces challenges such as oxidation susceptibility, low solubility, and poor bioaccessibility, limiting its applications. In this study, PSO was extracted from Perilla seeds as lipid droplets (LDs) using sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The resulting PSLDs exhibited a spherical morphology with a diameter of 1.1 μm, featuring a hydrophobic neutral lipid core encapsulated by a monolayer of phospholipids and minimal proteins. Stability assessments revealed no significant changes in peroxide value (POV) or the content of α-linolenic acid in PSLDs. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that PSLDs significantly enhanced the bioavailability of α-linolenic acid, with a 266% increase in relative bioavailability and higher AUC_0~∞ compared to free PSO. These findings highlight the role of LDs in improving the oxidative stability and bioavailability of PSO, attributed to their unique structural properties. This study provides valuable insights for advancing the development and application of PSO and other oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids.