Biophysical Characterization of Alpha-Glucan Nanoparticles Encapsulating Feruloylated Soy Glycerides (FSG)

Authors: Evans, Kervin; Compton, David - Dave; Skory, Christopher - Chris; Appell, Michael

Submitted to: SSRN:First look
Publication Type: Pre-print Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2023
Publication Date: 4/12/2023
Citation: Evans, K.O., Compton, D.L., Skory, C.D., Appell, M.D. 2023. Biophysical Characterization of Alpha-Glucan Nanoparticles Encapsulating Feruloylated Soy Glycerides (FSG). Soil Science Research Network (SSRN). Article e4414758. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4414758.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4414758

Interpretive Summary: Nanoparticles are microscopic materials that are used in the pharmaceutical and food industries for numerous applications, such as carriers for drugs or other compounds that have limited water solubility. There is an increasing drive to create these nanocarriers from agri-based materials because they are non-toxic and biodegradable. In this study, we demonstrated that polysaccharides synthesized from fructose (e.g., table or beet sugar) using an enzyme isolated from a bacterium will form nanoparticles that can encapsulate bioactive compounds, such as the biobased feruloyl soy glycerides (FSG). FSG are synthesized from soybean oil and are of interest to the cosmetic and skin care industries because of the UV absorbance and antioxidant properties. We characterized the physical properties and stability of the nanocarriers containing the feruloylated soybean oil glycerides. Results suggest that these nanoparticles could have applications with controlled release for other oily material such as essential oils, providing UV-protection to encapsulated bioactive compounds, and producing films with UV protection. This work will benefit agricultural growers and numerous industries by providing new materials to meet the global market demand for improved biobased products in nanoparticle delivery/carrier systems, which is projected to reach nearly $300 billion USD by 2028.

Technical Abstract: Water insoluble a-glucans that were enzymatically synthesized using glucansucrase that was cloned from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1118 were previously shown to form nanoparticles via high pressure homogenization. These a-glucan nanoparticles were shown capable of encapsulating a small hydrophobic molecule [Evans et al, Molecules 25(17),3807]. This work demonstrates that the same a-glucan can be formed into nanoparticles that encapsulate feruloylated soy glycerides from modified soybean oil, a product of interest to the cosmetic and skin care industries because of the UV absorbance and antioxidant properties of the feruloyl moiety. It is demonstrated that the feruloylated soy glyceride/a-glucan nanoparticles have distinct size, zeta potential and thermal profiles from that of nanoparticles made from a-glucan alone or feruloylated soy glyceride alone. Thermal analysis also demonstrates the release of feruloylated soy glycerides from the a-glucan nanoparticles.