Temperature induced phase transition in fluorescence active zein nanoparticles

Abstract

Stable colloidal zein nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by using controlled precipitation method. They were made fluorescence active by incorporating a small amount of fluorescence quinolinium surfactant. The incorporation of fluorescence surfactant provided both the colloidal stability and the fluorescence ability to determine the phase transition in zein NPs under the effect of temperature variation. Maintaining colloidal stability under the effect of temperature variation is an essential aspect of zein NPs applicability as a source of vegetarian protein supplement in different food suspensions. Different techniques such as fluorescence, DLS size, zeta potential, and FTIR measurements were applied to determine the influence of temperature on the colloidal stability of zein NPs. Zein NPs undergo phase transition well above room temperature while maintaining their size in nanometer range, and the phase transition temperature decreased with the amount of zein used in the synthesis of zein NPs. The results highlighted the potential use of zein NPs as a vegetarian supplement protein in different food products.