Fabrication of Zein-Lecithin-EGCG complex nanoparticles: Characterization, controlled release in simulated gastrointestinal digestion

The Zein-Lecithin-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) complex nanoparticles were fabricated by anti-solvent coprecipitation method. The Zein-Lecithin (Z-L) nanocomplexes exhibited great encapsulation efficiency of 68.5% for EGCG, and the encapsulated EGCG still had good antioxidative capacity. The cumulative release of EGCG in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) were 19% and 92%, respectively, and the release was closest to Fick release in SGF and First release in SIF. Fluorescence spectroscopy (FL), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments revealed that the EGCG was successfully encapsulated by Z-L nanocomplexes through electrostatic, hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions. The Zein-Lecithin-EGCG complex nanoparticles exhibited excellent stability and great sustained-release performance, which will be the alternative for potential application in the food industry.