The bovine serum albumin fiber-succinate cyclodextrin stabilized Pickering emulsions for the delivery of β-carotene: physicochemical properties and in vitro digestion

Developing efficient delivery vehicles for hydrophobic nutrients remains a critical challenge due to the poor stability of conventional emulsifiers. This study fabricated an innovative bovine serum albumin fiber-succinate cyclodextrin (BSAF-SACD) complex via electrostatic complexation to stabilize Pickering emulsions for β-carotene delivery. Zeta potential analysis identified the optimal complexation conditions at a mass ratio R=2 and pH 5.0, where cationic BSAF interweaves with anionic SACD to form a cross-linked protective network. Microstructural and structural analyses confirmed that this matrix effectively integrates protein fibril rigidity with the inclusion capabilities of modified cyclodextrin. Compared to BSAF-stabilized emulsions, the dual-functional BSAF-SACD emulsions exhibited significantly enhanced performance, showing 5.5% increase in β-carotene retention after 35 days of storage and 6.0% improvement in UV photostability. Furthermore, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion models demonstrated that the complex network provided pH-responsive release, ultimately leading to 10.7% increase in β-carotene bioaccessibility. Overall, this work provides a sustainable and innovative approach for constructing multi-component protein-polysaccharide interfacial assembly systems, advancing the formulation of functional foods and targeted bioactive delivery systems.