Polylysine-polyglyceryl-10-decanoate derivatives: Enhanced antioxidant properties, stability, and bioaccessibility of resveratrol nanoemulsions

Enhancing the stability, antioxidant capacity, and bioaccessibility of resveratrol (Res) is critical for its functional food application. Herein, we developed a novel antioxidant emulsifier, polylysine-polyglyceryl-10-decanoate (PL-PG10-C10), synthesized via periodate oxidation and Schiff-base coupling. Compared with PG10-C10, PL-PG10-C10 reduced the critical micelle concentration (38.2 vs. 4.3 μg/mL) and produced Res nanoemulsions with high encapsulation efficiency (90.4 %) and superior stability across pH 1–13 and 0–500 mM NaCl. PL-PG10-C10-Res nanoemulsions showed stronger radical scavenging (94.0 % vs. 71.7 %) and delayed lipid oxidation over 21 days at 55 °C. Simulated digestion confirmed excellent gastric stability and improved intestinal delivery, achieving 91.3 % bioaccessibility versus 63.7 % for PG10-C10-Res nanoemulsions. Release kinetics followed mixed mechanisms, showing combined diffusion- and erosion-controlled behavior, with first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models providing complementary fits, reflecting the dynamic interplay of diffusion, interfacial relaxation, and enzymatic digestion. These findings underscore PL-PG10-C10 as a promising platform for oral delivery of lipophilic bioactives in functional foods.