Hollow nanoparticles are preferred over solid ones for their high loading capabilities, sustained release and low density. Hollow zein particles are susceptible to aggregation with a slight variation in the ionic strength, pH and temperature of the medium. This study was aimed to fabricate quercetin-loaded hollow zein particles with chitosan and pectin coating to improve their physicochemical stability. Quercetin as a model flavonoid had a loading efficiency and capacity of about 86–94% and 2.22–5.89%, respectively. Infrared and X-ray diffraction investigations revealed the interaction of quercetin with zein and the change in its physical state from crystalline to amorphous upon incorporation in the composite particles. The chitosan/pectin coating improved the stability of quercetin-loaded hollow zein particles against heat treatment, sodium chloride and in a wide range of pH. The complex coating protected quercetin that was encapsulated in hollow zein particles from free radicals in the aqueous medium and enhanced its DPPH radical scavenging ability. The entrapment of quercetin in the particles improved its storage and photochemical stability. The storage stability of entrapped quercetin was enhanced both at 25 and 45 °C in hollow zein particles coated with chitosan and pectin. Therefore, composite hollow zein particles fabricated with a combination of polysaccharides can expand their role in the encapsulation, protection and delivery of bioactive components.

中文翻译：

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壳聚糖/果胶复合涂层提高槲皮素负载空心玉米蛋白颗粒的理化稳定性

中空纳米粒子优于固体纳米粒子，因为它们具有高负载能力、持续释放和低密度。中空玉米醇溶蛋白颗粒易于聚集，离子强度、pH 值和介质温度略有变化。本研究旨在制备具有壳聚糖和果胶涂层的槲皮素负载中空玉米醇溶蛋白颗粒，以提高其理化稳定性。槲皮素作为模型类黄酮的负载效率和容量分别约为 86-94% 和 2.22-5.89%。红外和 X 射线衍射研究揭示了槲皮素与玉米醇溶蛋白的相互作用，以及在掺入复合颗粒后其物理状态从结晶变为无定形。壳聚糖/果胶涂层提高了载有槲皮素的中空玉米蛋白颗粒对热处理的稳定性，氯化钠和广泛的 pH 值。复合涂层保护包裹在空心玉米醇溶蛋白颗粒中的槲皮素免受水性介质中的自由基的影响，并增强了其清除 DPPH 自由基的能力。颗粒中槲皮素的包埋提高了其储存和光化学稳定性。包埋的槲皮素在 25 和 45 °C 下在涂有壳聚糖和果胶的中空玉米醇溶蛋白颗粒中的储存稳定性得到增强。因此，由多糖组合制成的复合空心玉米蛋白颗粒可以扩大其在生物活性成分的包封、保护和传递中的作用。颗粒中槲皮素的包埋提高了其储存和光化学稳定性。包埋的槲皮素在 25 和 45 °C 下在涂有壳聚糖和果胶的中空玉米醇溶蛋白颗粒中的储存稳定性得到增强。因此，由多糖组合制成的复合空心玉米蛋白颗粒可以扩大其在生物活性成分的包封、保护和传递中的作用。颗粒中槲皮素的包埋提高了其储存和光化学稳定性。包埋的槲皮素在 25 和 45 °C 下在涂有壳聚糖和果胶的中空玉米醇溶蛋白颗粒中的储存稳定性得到增强。因此，由多糖组合制成的复合空心玉米蛋白颗粒可以扩大其在生物活性成分的包封、保护和传递中的作用。