Enhancing oil powder functionality: Synergistic effects of hyaluronic acid and fish collagen peptides in...

This study pioneers a novel strategy to transform passive polysaccharide walls into bioactive delivery systems by integrating hyaluronic acid (HA, 300 kDa) and fish collagen peptides (CP) into polysaccharide matrices (β-cyclodextrin [CD], chitosan [CT], maltodextrin [MD]). Optimization of HA-CP ratios (1:1 w/w) and spray drying parameters enhanced key metrics: MD-based powders achieved a 147% increase in oil holdup (OH, 0.047 to 0.116 mL g^-1) and 105% higher encapsulation efficiency (EE, 38.7% to 79.4%). CT-HA-CP composites exhibited peak EE (83.2%), while CD-HA-CP improved OH by 70% (0.122 to 0.208 mL g^-1). HA-CP synergy reduced oil-water contact angles, ensured rapid dissolution, and produced smooth spherical particles (D₅₀ 10-20 μm). This work demonstrates that HA and CP can be physically incorporated into oil powders without chemical reactions, transforming passive wall materials into bioactive carriers and providing a physicochemical foundation for functional applications leveraging their known bioactivities.