Encapsulation of zingerone by self-assembling peptides derived from fish viscera: Characterization, interaction and effects on colon epithelial cells.

The purpose of the present work was to encapsulate zingerone (a bioactive compound from ginger) by self-assembling peptides derived from fish viscera. The encapsulation conditions were investigated and the structure of fish peptides-zingerone complex was characterized. The interaction between zingerone and fish peptides was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. Further research was performed on the release of zingerone and fish peptide-zingerone as well as their antiproliferative effects on colon epithelial Caco-2 cells. The results demonstrated that zingerone can be successfully encapsulated by self-assembling peptides derived from fish viscera with high encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity. Furthermore, transmission electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope observations revealed the successful encapsulation of zingerone by fish viscera peptides. In addition, release and antiproliferative activity against Caco-2 cells can be significantly increased by encapsulating zingerone peptide self-assembly. The current study advances knowledge of encapsulation of bioactive compounds through peptide self-assembly.