Polymerized whey protein encapsulated antioxidant compound and a process for preparation of same
A process is provided for encapsulating glutathione (GSH), 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10), and other hydrophobic antioxidant compounds by using whey proteins which may be polymerized in a particular manner. Further, compositions comprising polymerized whey protein (PWP) encapsulated glutathione, polymerized whey protein (PWP) encapsulated CoQ10, and polymerized whey protein (PWP) encapsulated DIM are provided.
1. A process for making a polymerized whey protein concentrate microencapsulated glutathione, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) dissolving a powder of whey protein concentrate (WPC) in deionized water at room temperature to provide a WPC aqueous solution, wherein the WPC is present at concentration of 10 w/v %;
(b) adjusting pH of the WPC aqueous solution to 7-8 and heating said WPC aqueous solution to about 70-80° C. for about 15 minutes;
(c) cooling the heated WPC aqueous solution to room temperature to provide a polymerized WPC solution;
(d) adding glutathione powder to the polymerized WPC solution to provide a mixture;
(e) stirring the mixture to achieve complete dissolution and to provide a clear homogeneous solution; and
(f) isolating the polymerized WPC microencapsulated glutathione by freeze-drying or spray-drying to provide a powder.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the and glutathione are used in equal amounts by weight.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein a weight ratio of the WPC to glutathione is from about 1:1 to 1:2.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the isolating step is spray-drying.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the isolating step is freeze-drying.