Gum Arabic-Stabilized Ferric Oxyhydroxide Nanoparticles for Efficient and Targeted Intestinal Delivery of Bioavailable Iron

Abstract

Nanostructured iron(III) compounds are promising food fortificants with desirable iron bioavailability and food compatibility. Here, gum arabic (GA) solubilized 252 mg of iron(III) per g at neutral pH in the form of GA-stabilized ferric oxyhydroxide nanoparticles (GA-FeONPs) with Z-average size of 142.7 ± 5.9 nm and ζ-potential of −20.50 ± 1.25 mV. Calceinfluorescence-quenching assay revealed well-absorbed iron from GA-FeONPs by polarized Caco-2 cells due to efficient macropinocytic internalization and asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated specific endocytosis facilitated by the polypeptide and arabinogalactan fractions of GA, respectively, with endocytosed GA-FeONPs being in part basolaterally transcytosed and in another part degraded into cellular labile iron pool. GA-FeONPs showed good colloidal stability under varied pH, gastrointestinal, thermal processing, and spray/freeze drying conditions and displayed remarkably weaker pro-oxidant activity than FeSO 4 in glyceryl trilinoleate emulsion (P < 0.05). Oral pharmacokinetics unveiled desirable iron bioavailability of GA-FeONPs relative to FeSO 4 , i.e., 124.27 ± 5.91% in aqueous solution and 161.64 ± 5.01% in milk. Overall, GA-FeONPs are a promising novel iron fortificant with food-compatible, efficient, and targeted intestinal iron delivery and sustained iron-release properties.

Molecular Mechanisms of Iron Transport and Homeostasis Regulated by Antarctic Krill-Derived Heptapeptide–Iron Complex

“…These findings indicate that the LVDDHFL–iron complex could potentially be taken up through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Li et al conducted a study demonstrating that gum arabic-stabilized ferric oxyhydroxide nanoparticles can be absorbed by small intestine cells via specific endocytosis mediated by the asialoglycoprotein receptor …”

“…In adults, iron deficiency can result in severe fatigue and various health complications in adults, while in infants, it can cause delayed physical and mental development . Although dietary iron is available from diverse animal and plant-based sources, its bioavailability is limited, which presents challenges in achieving adequate iron intake through diet.…”

Intrinsically 69Ge-Labeled Gum Arabic Glycoprotein-Coated Gallium Oxide Nanoparticles: A New Nanoprobe for PET Imaging

“…In industry, GA is used as an emulsifier and thickening agent . In recent years, its ability to act as a biocompatible shell for nanostructures has triggered enormous interest in medical research . In nanomedicine, the use of GA to synthesize/stabilize nanoparticles synthesized by different approaches has been extensively reported. − ,, The functional groups of GA (mainly carboxylate and amine) can easily interact with the surface of nanoparticles, providing both electrostatic as well as steric stability to the final nanocomposite. , Additionally, GA is capable of preventing the aggregation of nanoparticles in the presence of components of biological fluids in vivo .…”

Influence of Dietary Fibre and Protein Fractions on the Trace Element Bioaccessibility of Turnip Tops (Brassica rapa) Growing under Mediterranean Conditions

“…In this regard, gum arabic has been used as a natural functional ingredient for the fortification of trace elements such as Fe and Zn [42], wherein these ions are chelated by the self-assembled polymer host. Similarly, Li et al [43] have shown that gum arabic facilitates the endocytic uptake of ferric oxyhydroxide nanoparticles by micropinocytosis. These authors, in an animal model (rats), also found a higher Fe bioavailability and serum Fe concentration for a gum arabic-ferric nanoparticle mixture versus ferrous sulphate.…”