An Enhanced Stability Nanoparticle Preparation by Corn Protein Hydrolysate‐Carboxymethyl Chitosan Maillard Conjugates Loaded with Rutin

Rutin-loaded corn protein hydrolysate-carboxymethyl chitosan (CPH-NOCC) Maillard conjugate nanoparticles (NPs) with superior stability under different NaCl concentrations (0-0.25 mol/L) and pH levels (7.0 to 3.0) were investigated. Results showed that the degree of glycosylation of 53.3%, browning index of 0.6, and SDS-PAGE lane of CPH-NOCC conjugates were obtained after dry heating for 48 hr (60 °C, 79% RH). The high encapsulation efficiency (EE, 97.8%-98.8%) and CPH-NOCC-rutin (98.8%) was significantly higher than CPH-rutin (97.8%) and CPH/NOCC-rutin (98.4%) NPs illustrated that hydrolysis was positive for zein encapsulation, and conjugation of NOCC to CPH increased the EE. Hairy carbohydrate protrusions on the surface of CPH-NOCC-rutin NPs produced a stronger steric effect and hampered the formation of salt bridges and the particle aggregation under CPH isoelectric point at pH 4.0. Therefore, the CPH-NOCC conjugate NPs may be suitable carrier for hydrophobic bioactive substances in a board range of business foodstuffs.