In vitro study of bioaccessibility, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside after interacting with beta-lactoglobulin and chitosan/pectin.

Polysaccharides and fruit extracts are applied in dairy products to enhance their nutritional property, but the effects of such formulations on the functions and biological activities are yet to be explored. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the effect of interactions among milk protein (beta-lactoglobulin; BLG), polysaccharides (pectin, P; chitosan, CH), and anthocyanin (pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside; P3G) in improving the bioavailability and biological activity of P3G. After gastrointestinal digestion (GID), the content of free P3G in different model solutions were as follows: P3G-alone (73.59 μg/mL), P3G-P (66.59 μg/mL), P3G-CH (36.72 μg/mL), P3G-BLG (64.92 μg/mL), P3G-P-BLG (64.92 μg/mL), and P3G-CH-BLG (39.61 μg/mL). Less amount of free P3G in model solutions indicated increased complex formation of P3G with protein and/or polysaccharides during GID. These complexes resulted in protection and progressive release of P3G in the gastrointestinal tract. Chitosan exhibited more protection to P3G compared with P and BLG. In addition, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and ROS scavenging activities of conjugated-P3G samples were potentially augmented after GID. However, the presence of polysaccharides and protein in the model solutions did not show any negative effect on the biological activity of P3G. Thus, pure P3G can be used as a nutritional ingredient in dairy industries.