Production and characterization of nanovesicles carrying hydrolyzed bee pollen proteins for fortification of honey

Abstract

This study evaluated the practical feasibility of using nanoliposomes and nanoniosomes loaded with hydrolyzed pollen protein (using Pepsin and Alcalase) as a suitable compound for honey fortification.The study also examined the physiochemical properties and bioactivity of these compounds. The size of the vesicles increased from 73-119 nm to 90–187 nm after loading with hydrolyzed proteins and to 179 nm after coating with chitosan. Chitosan-coated nanoliposomes exhibited the highest polydispersity index (0.389) and encapsulation efficiency (93.08 %). In general, the loading of hydrolyzed proteins in nanovesicles preserved 88–98 % of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) activity, 82–96 % of iron ion reducing power, and 81–91 % of DPPH radical inhibition activity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the vesicles were spherical with a smooth surface. Chitosan-coated nanoliposomes formed compact clusters. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy demonstrated that the peptides were compatible with the vesicles.Nanoniosomes exhibited a more sustained release behavior in simulated digestive fluid compared to nanoliposomes. Chitosan-coated nanoliposomes and uncoated nanoliposomes had the lowest (61.62 %) and highest (100 %) release rates, respectively. After fortification with nanovesicles, honey showed a 6 % increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity, a 16 % increase in reducing power, and a 14 % increase in ACEI. Honey containing nanoniosomes received the highest acceptance score. These findings are important for the development of hydrolyzed protein-containing functional foods.