Fructose-modified chitosan-based coassemblies reinforced oral bioavailability of egg white oligopeptides and curcumin via glucose transporter 2-oriented transcytosis and preferable mucus permeation

Efficient oral coassembly strategies have attracted increasing attention for the preferable co-delivery of multiple nutraceuticals. Inspired by superior transport tendencies of the intestinal glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) to fructose-modified biopolymers, this study fabricated the coassemblies consisting of fructose-modified chitosan (Fru-CS) shell and disulfonic acid-modified γ-cyclodextrin (BA-γ-CD) core to effectively co-deliver hydrophilic egg white oligopeptides (EWOP) and hydrophobic curcumin (Cur). The non-covalent interactions-driven coassemblies exhibited the admirable nanoscale colloidal features and nutraceuticals (EWOP/Cur) co-loading capacity (20.6–25.5 > > 10 %). Besides, the coassemblies introduced the outstanding application synergism (> 15 % enhancement) to nutraceuticals under multi-dimensional scenarios ( e.g. , digestion, heat, UV-light, and antioxidant). Notably, the outer Fru-CS-coated coassemblies could dramatically improve the intact absorption efficiency (2.5–7.9 times) of nutraceuticals mainly via GLUT2-oriented transcytosis and cooperate with BA-γ-CD to achieve better gastrointestinal retention and mucus permeation. This work offers a facile and effective co-assembly strategy for oral co-delivery of nutraceuticals for food processing and healthcare.