ENCAPSULATION OF BIOACTIVE SALMON PROTEIN HYDROLYSATES WITH CHITOSAN-COATED LIPOSOMES

Abstract

Bioactive low molecular weight protein hydrolysates need to be protected, transported to the targeted absorption site, and released in a controlled manner to optimize their effectiveness during oral administration. The focus of this research was to develop a chitosan-coated liposomal oral delivery system with milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) phospholipids for antidiabetic Atlantic salmon protein hydrolysates (SPH). The size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, stability during freeze-drying and freeze thawing, and long-term storage abilities were investigated as a function of phospholipid concentration and chitosan coating concentration. Chitosan coating greatly improved the stability of MFGM liposomes. The maximum encapsulation efficiency (71.3%) and physical stability were achieved with 10% MFGM and 0.4% chitosan. Chitosan coating significantly prolongs the release of SPH in simulated biological fluids. In conclusion, liposomes with “optimal” chitosan-coating-concentration show great promise as a potential new delivery system for protein hydrolysates. However, the bioactivity of encapsulated SPH need to be tested.