Fabrication of food grade zein-dispersed selenium dual-nanoparticles with controllable size, cell friendliness and oral bioavailability.

In this study, novel bioavailable selenium nanoparticles with controllable particle size and low toxicity were developed. With selenium modified zein nanoparticles (zein NPs) in-situ, dispersed nano-selenium particles with different structure were formed simultaneously. The particle size, zeta potential, morphology and binding mechanism of synthesized zein-selenium nanoparticles (zein-Se NPs) were systematically discussed. Selenium was considered to be combined with OH and -CO-NH- groups of zein. The selenium in the complex particles presented an amorphous structure with zero valence. The cytotoxicity of zein-Se NPs was significantly lower than that of sodium selenite, even exhibited a growth-promoting effect on normal liver cells (L-02), and were proven to be orally absorbed by organisms in vivo experiments. The difference in particle structure had certain effects on cytotoxicity and oral targeting. The complex particles obtained by this method were anticipated be further used as food fortifiers or medicines.