Protection of β-Carotene from Chemical Degradation in Emulsion-Based Delivery Systems Using Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) Gonad Protein Isolates

Natural polymeric proteins, isolated from scallop gonad, had already shown promise as a potent nutraceutical. The purpose of this study was to fabricate scallop gonad protein isolates (SGPIs) as a natural alternative emulsifier designed for improving the physicochemical stability of β-carotene (BC). The influence of carrier oil, including long- and medium-chain triglycerides (LCT/MCT), on the physicochemical stability of BC emulsions was investigated. The SGPI-stabilized BC emulsions were characterized in terms of viscosity, particle diameter, zeta-potential, atomic force microscopy (AFM), cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Compared to SGPI-MCT emulsions, SGPI-LCT emulsions had better resistance to high ionic strengths and thermal treatment. During the 30-day storage period, the particle diameter, zeta-potential, and BC degradation of both emulsions had a great change at 37 °C than at 25 or 4 °C, and the variation of SGPI-MCT emulsions was more obvious than that of SGPI-LCT, which could be attributed to the high viscosity of SGPI-LCT emulsions. These results indicate that SGPIs can be applied in protecting lipophilic bioactives by using emulsion-based systems, in which LCT oil was more effective for encapsulating and protecting BC than MCT oil.