LAUSR

Abstract Ovalbumin (OVA) is the most abundant globular protein in egg white. In this study, the nanocomplexes formed by the protein-polysaccharide system could effectively improve the stability of OVA near isoelectric point and further realize the delivery of anthocyanins (ACNs). The nanocarriers (Type I and Type Ⅱ) were constructed using OVA-propylene glycol alginate (OVA-PGA) complexes through heating-assisted electrostatic assembly. Type Ⅱ showed the potential as an admirable nanocarrier, including smaller particle size (328.2 nm), better PDI (0.243), more excellent stability (pH 3-7) as well as fine surface hydrophobicity compared with Type I. In addition, Type Ⅱ had higher encapsulation efficiency (EE) of ACNs (EE = 96.89%). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) demonstrated that ACNs was successfully loaded to Type Ⅱ by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The ACNs-loaded Type Ⅱ (Type Ⅱ-ACNs) maintained high scavenging activity of ABTS free radical and prevented ACNs from being degraded under different environmental factors (pH, temperature, ascorbic acid and light). In simulated gastrointestinal digestion, Type Ⅱ-ACNs achieved protection and slow release for ACNs. This study indicates that OVA-PGA nanocomplexes (Type Ⅱ) with novel configurations can provide guidance for developing ACNs and other bioactive substance delivery systems as food functional ingredients.