Impact of pH on the properties of zein nanoparticles and tunable stabilities of as-prepared Pickering emulsions.

Zein, a maize-derived protein, is increasingly utilized in nanoparticle delivery systems due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. This study aimed to review the latest progress in fabricating, structure designing, characterizing, and functions associated with nanoparticles based on zein. Key fabrication techniques and their impacts on the nanoparticle properties were examined. Different structural designs of zein nanoparticles, including composite, core-shell, and layer-by-layer assembled configurations, were highlighted. The roles exerted by these nanoparticles in delivering, protecting, and regulating the release of bioactive substances were also investigated. Fabrication methods influenced the nanoparticle size, morphology, and stability, which, in turn, affected the encapsulation and release efficiency of bioactive compounds. Additionally, various structural designs improved the stability of zein nanoparticles, controlled the release of bioactive compounds, and enabled the personalization of multiple bioactive compounds. These findings highlight the potential of zein-based nanoparticles as efficient carriers for functional compounds, offering enhanced stability, bioavailability, and targeted release.

Edible barrier films from aqueous dispersions of zein nanoparticles: effect of polyols

TPGS-coated zein nanoparticles encapsulating Haematococcus pluvialis extract for Alzheimer's disease: An in vitro evaluation towards brain-targeted delivery.

Fabrication of complex interface and pH-switchable Pickering emulsions prepared by electrostatic associative of zein nanoparticles with QS-coated nanodroplets

Exploring the potential of chitosan-α-lipoic acid copolymer/sodium alginate-coated hollow zein nanoparticles for oral astaxanthin delivery: Structural characterization, safety assessment and anti-ulcerative colitis effect.

Zein-polysaccharide hydrogel loaded with basil and oregano essential oils: Insights of fabrication, stability and antibacterial mechanism.

Zein nanoparticles in emerging food packaging: Mechanistic insights into self-assembly, structural driving forces, and functional applications

Due to its capacity to form complexes with polyphenols and to self-assemble as nanoparticles, zein could be utilized as an excellent carrier for polyphenols. The objective of this study was to examine the interaction between zein and phloretin (PHL) through multispectral analysis and molecular docking, and to prepare and characterize PHL-loaded zein nanoparticles. Spectral analysis and docking data confirmed that the binding process of the zein-PHL complex is mainly influenced by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interaction was auxiliary, with static quenching as the primary fluorescence quenching mechanism. Meanwhile, zein nanoparticles loaded with PHL were successfully prepared using the anti-solvent precipitation method, which was evidenced by the morphology and size characterization. The hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction in the nanoparticles were further confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This study elucidates the noncovalent interaction mechanism between zein and PHL, providing a theoretical foundation for the design of zein-polyphenol nanocarriers. These carriers show promising applications as emulsion stabilizers or delivery systems for lipophilic bioactives, thereby facilitating the development of functional foods with improved stability and enhanced bioavailability.

Hierarchical porous aerogel constructed from in-situ assembled zein nanoparticles for sustainable radioactive iodine capture.

Dual delivery of mulberry leaf extract and ciprofloxacin via mannitol/xylitol-coated zein nanoparticles for overcoming antibiotic resistance

Enhanced stability and transdermal delivery of naringin via Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide- phosphorylated zein nanoparticles

The design of drug delivery systems (DDS) for efficient and sustained in situ antioxidant treatment is demanded in regenerative medicine applications. DDS, based on nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels, are promising advanced drug delivery platforms to achieve prolonged release and targeted bioactivity. Herein we developed innovative and sustainable injectable hydrogels based on oxidized pectin (PDA) and carbohydrazide-modified gelatin (G-CDH) for the release of curcumin-loaded zein nanoparticles (CurZNPs) for mitigating cell oxidative stress. CurZNPs, produced by nanoprecipitation, exhibited high encapsulation efficiency, sustained curcumin release, and strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. PDA/G-CDH hydrogels with three different PDA : G-CDH ratios were prepared by double physical and chemical crosslinking, through calcium ions internally released from CaCO3 and Schiff base formation between PDA and G-CDH functional groups, respectively. PDA/G-CDH hydrogels showed rheological tunability, depending on the degree of pectin oxidation (2.5 mol%: PDA_2.5 and 5 mol%: PDA_5). Hydrogels with a balanced aldehyde-to-amine ratio, specifically the PDA_2.5/G-CDH (70 : 30) and PDA_5/G-CDH (50 : 50) formulations, were selected based on their superior stability in physiological conditions, consistent with effective crosslinking. Such compositions also exhibited injectability through shear thinning behaviour, and self-healing by restored mechanical integrity after stress, and supported human fibroblast viability and attachment. CurZNPs-loaded PDA/G-CDH hydrogels showed prolonged curcumin release, antioxidant activity by restoring fibroblast viability after induced oxidative damage, and anti-inflammatory properties with RAW 264.7 macrophages. In conclusion, injectable PDA/G-CDH hydrogels were efficient and biocompatible DDS for antioxidant treatment through controlled CurZNPs release.

Development and characterization of whey protein packaging film loaded with Pickering emulsion stabilized marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) essential oil.

Corrigendum to “Zein nanoparticles in emerging food packaging: Mechanistic insights into self-assembly, structural driving forces, and functional applications” [Trends in Food Science & Technology 167 (2026) 105447

Innovative active and intelligent packaging film based on pectin/gelatin biocomposites with zein nanoparticles and anthocyanin: Quality monitoring in mandarin and cucumber

Oral delivery of Silybin via HA-DOCA-functionalized zein nanocolloids for amelioration of liver fibrosis.

Epicatechin gallate-mediated modulation of zein self-assembly and air-water interfacial properties of zein nanoparticles

Capsaicin, a natural bioactive compound, has attracted wide interest for its potential health benefits. However, its rapid metabolism and strong irritancy upon oral administration have greatly limited its further application. To address these issues, this study developed a nanoparticle delivery system using corn Zein and Brassica rapa L. polysaccharide (BP) as carriers, with capsaicin (CAP) as the core. The optimized formulation (BP:Zein = 1:2, Zein:CAP = 2.5:1, mg/mg) produced stable, uniform spherical nanoparticles with an average particle size of 203.05 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.138, a zeta potential of −44.9 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 54.03%, and a drug loading capacity of 184.57 μg/mg. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescence spectroscopy (FS), X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirmed that CAP was successfully encapsulated, forming nanoparticles through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between CAP and Zein. The obtained nanoparticles displayed regular spherical morphology and uniform size distribution. Compared with single-layer Zein–CAP nanoparticles, BP–Zein–Capsaicin (BZC) nanoparticles exhibited markedly improved stability under different pH, ionic strength, and storage conditions. In vitro simulated digestion showed a sustained-release profile, with 36.76% of CAP released after 4 h. The anti-inflammatory experiment showed that both the nanoparticle and free capsaicin groups significantly inhibited xylene-induced acute ear edema in mice, with the medium- and high-dose nanoparticle groups exhibiting stronger anti-inflammatory effects than the free capsaicin group. These findings suggest that the nanoparticle delivery system effectively enhances the anti-inflammatory activity of capsaicin, possibly by improving its stability, achieving sustained release, and enhancing its bioavailability in vivo. Overall, capsaicin-loaded Brassica rapa L. polysaccharide–Zein nanoparticles combine small particle size, high drug loading, and excellent stability, providing a promising strategy for functional food development and targeted bioactive delivery.

This study presents the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of three edible nanoformulation systems: chitosan nanoparticles produced by ionic gelation, lipid nanoparticles formulated via solvent evaporation, and zein protein nanoparticles prepared using antisolvent precipitation. The chitosan nanoformulations exhibited a uniform milky dispersion without sedimentation, supported by a high mean zeta potential of +38.7 mV and particle sizes ranging from 49–140 nm, indicating excellent colloidal stability. SEM analysis confirmed predominantly spherical chitosan nanoparticles with smooth surfaces, while FTIR spectra showed characteristic O–H, N–H, amide I/II, and C–O–C vibrations, verifying the preservation of chitosan’s structural integrity and successful crosslinking with TPP. Thymol-loaded lipid nanoparticles displayed a mean zeta potential of –16.9 mV and particle sizes between 84 and 180 nm, forming a stable, uniform suspension. SEM images revealed well-formed spherical particles with compact morphology, and FTIR analysis identified O–H, C–H, C=O, aromatic C=C, and C–O–C peaks, confirming intact lipid chains and effective thymol encapsulation. Zein nanoparticles demonstrated a strong positive surface charge (+31.5 mV) and nanoscale size distribution (66–94 nm), consistent with controlled self-assembly. SEM micrographs showed uniformly shaped spherical particles, while FTIR spectra displayed prominent amide I and II bands along with C–H and O–H signals, indicating preserved protein secondary structure and successful nanoparticle formation. Collectively, these results confirm that all three fabrication techniques yielded stable, monodisperse, and structurally intact edible nanoparticles, highlighting their strong potential for application in functional foods, targeted nutraceutical delivery, and bioactive encapsulation