Abstract The purpose of this study was to fabricate a water-soluble phytosterol ester (PE) nanodispersion using emulsification-evaporation combined high-energy approaches (ultrasonic and microfluidization treatment). The effects of different surfactants, fabricating condition on the characterization of PE nanodispersions were investigated. Our results indicated that soybean protein isolate (SPI) was more suitable for the fabrication of PE nanodispersion than konjac gum, rice protein and sodium caseinate (NaCas). The average particle size, ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency and loading amount of PE nanodispersion were 97.2 ± 5.0 nm, −38.9 ± 3.2 mV, 95.4 ± 0.4% and 19.1 ± 0.8%, respectively. Hydrophobic interaction played a significant role in the formation of nanodispersion. Microfluidization and high-speed shearing affected the secondary structure of SPI by breaking hydrogen bonds. Ultrasonic treatment could facilitate hydrogen bond formation, and increase hydrophobic interaction between SPI and PE. Emulsification-evaporation combined with ultrasonic method was gentler than microfluidization in the preparation of PE nanodispersion. The present method can be used to increase the water-solubility of PE and may be extended for other hydrophobic compounds.

中文翻译：

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乳化-蒸发联合超声法制备水溶性植物甾醇酯纳米分散体及其表征

摘要 本研究的目的是使用乳化-蒸发结合高能方法（超声波和微流化处理）制备水溶性植物甾醇酯 (PE) 纳米分散体。研究了不同表面活性剂、制备条件对PE纳米分散体表征的影响。我们的结果表明，大豆分离蛋白 (SPI) 比魔芋胶、大米蛋白和酪蛋白酸钠 (NaCas) 更适合制备 PE 纳米分散体。PE纳米分散体的平均粒径、ζ电位、包封效率和负载量分别为97.2±5.0nm、-38.9±3.2mV、95.4±0.4%和19.1±0.8%。疏水相互作用在纳米分散体的形成中起重要作用。微流化和高速剪切通过破坏氢键影响 SPI 的二级结构。超声波处理可以促进氢键的形成，并增加 SPI 和 PE 之间的疏水相互作用。乳化-蒸发结合超声法制备PE纳米分散体比微流化更温和。本方法可用于增加 PE 的水溶性，并可扩展到其他疏水性化合物。