Development of soy protein isolate/κ-carrageenan composite hydrogels as a delivery system for hydrophilic compounds: Monascus yellow

The aim of the present study was to develop soy protein isolate (SPI) and kappa-carrageenan (KC) composite hydrogels as a delivery system for hydrophilic compounds. The pigment of monascus yellow was used as a model. A systematic study was performed to characterize the theological, textural, microstructural properties and in vitro digestion release profile of monascus yellow of the composite gels. The results of power law modeling, electrophoresis patterns and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that non-covalent interactions were involved in the formation of SPI/KC composite hydrogels. Compared to pure kappa-carrageenan hydrogels, the incorporation of SPI could promote the formation of tougher, more uniform and compact composite gels with sustained-release property. In addition, the release behaviors of monascus yellow entrapped in the hydrogel network can be well described by the Ritger-Peppas mathematical model. Overall, our study provided a promising strategy to enhance the sustained release performance of hydrogels in digestive conditions. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

This study aimed to develop SPI and KC composite hydrogels as a delivery system for hydrophilic compounds, with the findings indicating that these composite gels have tougher, more uniform, more compact, and sustained-release properties. The results suggest that non-covalent interactions are involved in the formation of SPI/KC composite hydrogels, and the release behavior of monascus yellow in the hydrogel network can be well described by a mathematical model.