Non-covalent complexes of lutein/zeaxanthin and whey protein isolate formed at different pH levels: Binding interactions, storage stabilities, and bioaccessibilities

Lutein (Lut) and zeaxanthin (Zx) are promising healthy food ingredients; however, the low solubilities, stabilities, and bioavailabilities limit their applications in the food and beverage industries. A protein-based complex represents an efficient protective carrier for hydrophobic ligands, and its ligand-binding properties are influenced by the formulation conditions, particularly the pH level. This study explored the effects of various pH values (2.5-9.5) on the characteristics of whey protein isolate (WPI)-Lut/Zx complexes using multiple spectroscopic techniques, including ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies and dynamic light scattering (DLS). UV-Vis and DLS spectra revealed that Lut/Zx were present as H-aggregates in aqueous solutions, whereas WPI occurred as nanoparticles. The produced WPI-Lut/Zx complexes exhibited binding constants of 104-105 M-1, which gradually increased with increasing pH from 2.5 to 9.5. FTIR spectra demonstrated that pH variations and Lut/Zx addition caused detectable changes in the secondary WPI structure. Moreover, the WPI-Lut/Zx complexes effectively improved the physicochemical stabilities and antioxidant activities of Lut/Zx aggregates during long-term storage and achieved bioaccessibilities above 70% in a simulated gastrointestinal digestion process. The comprehensive data obtained in this study offer a basis for formulating strategies that can be potentially used in developing commercially available WPI complex-based xanthophyll-rich foods.