OSA-modified bacterial cellulose microgels: Synthesis, characterization, and hydrophobic bioactive delivery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Food Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising biomaterial with unique properties.
• Hydrophobic bioactives like astaxanthin (AST) require effective delivery systems for food applications.
• Modifying BC can enhance its functionality for encapsulating hydrophobic compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize octenyl succinic anhydride-modified bacterial cellulose (OBC) with varying degrees of substitution (DS).
• To develop OBC-hyaluronic acid (HA) microgels for encapsulating astaxanthin (AST).
• To evaluate the stability, antioxidant activity, and functional food application of AST-loaded OBC-HA microgels.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of OBCs via grafting octenyl succinic anhydride onto bacterial cellulose.
• Characterization of OBCs using contact angle and zeta potential measurements.
• Preparation of OBC-HA microgels and encapsulation of AST.
• Assessment of AST-loaded microgel stability, antioxidant retention, and incorporation into yogurt.

Main Results:

• Successful grafting of OSA onto BC, with higher DS improving amphiphilicity and colloidal stability.
• OBC-HA microgels achieved high encapsulation efficiency for AST.
• AST-loaded microgels demonstrated superior storage stability, retaining over 85% AST after 28 days.
• Incorporation into yogurt enhanced antioxidant capacity, texture firmness, and water-holding capacity.

Conclusions:

• OBC-HA microgels are effective carriers for stabilizing hydrophobic nutraceuticals like AST.
• These microgels enhance the nutritional and textural properties of functional foods.
• OBC-HA microgels offer a promising strategy for delivering bioactive compounds in the food industry.