Spontaneous co-assembly of lactoferrin and β-lactoglobulin as a promising biocarrier for vitamin B9
Résumé
The design of biocarriers for protection and controlled delivery of bioactives represents a challenge for
developing functional foods. We investigated the potentiality of heteroprotein Beta-lactoglobulin (BLG)
and Lactoferrin (LF) co-assemblies as biocarriers for vitamin B9 (B9). Using different B9:protein mixing
ratios, B9-LF-BLG co-assemblies were obtained and assessed by turbidity and phase contrast microscopy.
Kinetics of their formation and stability were monitored. B9 entrapment efficiency was evaluated. Two
types of B9-LF-BLG co-assembly were identified: aggregates (at low and high protein concentrations),
and heteroprotein coacervates (at intermediate protein concentrations), both exhibiting different kinetics
and stability over time. Compiling screening maps of B9-LF-BLG co-assemblies and B9 entrapments,
we evidenced that B9-LF-BLG coacervates exhibited higher performance as B9 biocarrier, with an
optimal entrapment of z10 mg B9/g protein. Therefore, such co-assembly displays useful potentialities
as vitamin biocarriers for the design of natural functional foods, offering enhanced health benefits, yet
without resorting to non-food additives.