1Research Center of Food Colloids and Delivery of Functionality, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), green tea's main polyphenol, offers antioxidant and anti-aging benefits, but its application is limited by poor stability and low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop a novel, mild method for preparing ovalbumin (OVA) fibrils as a carrier to construct EGCG-OVA nanospheres, intending to enhance EGCG's stability and bioactivity while reducing OVA's allergenicity. OVA fibrils were prepared via a novel enzymatic hydrolysis and 50°C incubation method, yielding shorter, less rigid fibrils than traditional approaches. EGCG-OVA nanospheres were formed by co-incubating EGCG with these fibrils (7.5:1, w/w). Formation was driven by hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and Schiff base condensation, the latter being critical for the fibril-to-sphere transition. The EGCG-OVA nanospheres' allergenic potential was evaluated in BALB/c mice. Results showed mitigated allergic symptoms compared to native OVA, achieved by modulating IL-4 and IFN-γ levels and restoring the Th1/Th2 immune balance. Furthermore, the anti-aging activity was assessed using aging mice and C. elegans . Compared to free EGCG, the nanospheres showed a more pronounced enhancement in antioxidant and anti-aging activities, which was linked to regulating the IGF1/Akt pathway. In conclusion, this study established a mild method for preparing OVA fibrils and successfully fabricated EGCG-OVA nanospheres. These nanospheres exhibited enhanced stability, potent bioactivity, and reduced allergenicity, offering a promising new strategy for EGCG delivery.