Carboxymethylpachymaran-zein coated plant microcapsules-based β-galactosidase encapsulation system for long-term effective delivery

Oral delivery of β-galactosidase (β-Gal) for alleviating lactose intolerance is a challenge due to its degradation in the harsh gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In this study, sunflower sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs)-based systems were fabricated to serve as protective microcapsules in order to improve the stability as well as to impact the pH-responsive release of β-Gal in GIT. The SECs extraction and loading process were optimized with the maximum residual activity of 82.75 ± 2.16%. Furthermore, the comparison of two systems indicated that β-Gal loaded into SECs which were entrapped in CMP-zein system was superior to that in zein system in terms of delivering β-Gal to the intestinal tract. Additionally, the interaction between CMP and zein confirmed by FTIR might contribute to the increased resistance to the GIT. Collectively, these results suggested that SECs-based CMP-zein system might be useful for encapsulation, protection, and delivery of bioactive substances.