Maize Arabinoxylan Gels as Protein Delivery Matrices

Abstract

The laccase induced gelation of maize bran arabinoxylans at 2.5% (w/v) in the presence of insulin or β-lactoglobulin at 0.1% (w/v) was investigated. Insulin and β-lacto-globulin did not modify either the gel elasticity (9 Pa) or the cross-links content (0.03 and 0.015 mg di- and triferulic acids/mg arabinoxylan, respectively). The protein release capability of the gel was also investigated. The rate of protein release from gels was dependent on the protein molecular weight. The apparent diffusion coefficient was 0.99 × 10-7 and 0.79 × 10-7 cm2/s for insulin (5 kDa) and β-lactoglobulin (18 kDa), respectively. The results suggest that maize bran arabinoxylan gels can be potential candidates for the controlled release of proteins.

Keywords

• Arabinoxylan gels
• Diferulic acids
• Triferulic acid
• Oxidative cross-linking
• Protein release