Tea saponin-Zein binary complex as a quercetin delivery vehicle: preparation, characterization, and functional evaluation

In this study, in order to solve the application problems of poor water solubility and low bioavailability of quercetin, we prepared a nano-delivery system with core-shell structure by anti-solvent method, including a hydrophilic shell composed of tea saponin and a hydrophobic core composed of Zein, which was used to improve the delivery efficiency and biological activity of quercetin. Through the optimal experiments, the loading rate and encapsulation rate of nanoparticles reached 89.41 % and 7.94 % respectively. And the water solubility of quercetin is improved by 30.16 times. At the same time, the quercetin acted with Zein through non-covalent interaction and destroyed its spatial network through structural characterization, while tea saponin covered the surface of Zein through electrostatic interaction, making it change into amorphous state. In addition, the addition of tea saponin makes the nanoparticles remain stable under the changes of external environment. During simulating gastrointestinal digestion procedure, ZQTNPs has higher release rate and bioavailability than free quercetin. Importantly, ZQTNPs can overcome the limitations of a single substance through synergy. These results will promote the innovative development of quercetin precision nutrition delivery system.