[P008] Poster

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM JST(4:00 AM - 4:50 AM UTC)

[P04-534] Using whey protein amyloid fibril/apple pectin coacervate capsules to prevent ethanol-induced gastric inflammatory ulceration

○Steven S.-S. Wang¹, Chia-Jung Lee¹, You-Ren Lai¹, Su-Chun How², Meng-Tzu Weng³ (1. National Taiwan University (Taiwan), 2. Tatung University (Taiwan), 3. National Taiwan University Hospital (Taiwan))

Keywords:

Whey protein amyloid fibril,Apple pectin,Protein-polysaccharide complex coacervation,Composite capsule,Drug delivery,Gastric ulcer prevention

Amyloid fibrils (AFs) exhibit exceptional properties, including high mechanical rigidity, extensive specific surface area, excellent biocompatibility, and superior thermochemical stability, making them attractive building blocks for bioactive drug carriers. This study aimed to develop a drug delivery system for the prevention of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers via the complex coacervation of whey protein isolate (WPI)-derived AFs and apple pectin (PEC). The formation of AFs was induced by subjecting WPI to acidic conditions (pH 2) and thermal treatment (80 °C) and was verified using an assemblage of spectroscopic techniques and biophysical tools. Under optimized coacervation conditions determined by zeta potential measurements, AF/PEC capsules were formed via electrostatic coacervation between AFs and PEC. In addition to investigating the surface microstructures and thermal properties of the AF/PEC capsules, their antioxidant activity was assessed using an ABTS radical-scavenging assay. Furthermore, the AF/PEC capsules efficiently encapsulated riboflavin (RF) with encapsulation efficiency (%EE) of ~99% and a loading capacity (%LC) of ~37%, and they exhibited controlled release in simulated gastric fluid, following first-order drug release kinetics. In the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in mice, the gastroprotective effects of omeprazole (OME), free RF, AF/PEC capsules, and RF-loaded AF/PEC capsules were further assessed. Evaluations of the ulcer index, histopathological changes, and inflammation-related biomarkers showed that RF-loaded AF/PEC capsules provided superior gastric protection against ethanol-induced ulceration. This study demonstrates the potential of harnessing protein amyloid fibril–pectin coacervates as biocompatible carriers for drug delivery in the digestive system and for acute gastric ulcer prevention.