Pseudosciaena crocea roe protein‐stabilized emulsions for oral delivery systems: In vitro digestion and in situ intestinal perfusion study

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was encapsulated in oil‐in‐water emulsions stabilized by Pseudosciaena crocea roe protein isolate (PRPI). The stability, lipid digestion, BITC bioavailability, and retention rate of the emulsions were characterized using a simulated gastrointestinal tract model. Tween‐corn and PRPI‐medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT) emulsions were used as controls. The membrane permeability and BITC absorption from these emulsions were investigated by in situ single‐pass intestinal perfusion. The results showed that the PRPI‐stabilized emulsions were stable under nonacidic environment conditions. Moreover, the PRPI‐corn emulsion had more obvious protective effects than PRPI‐MCT and Tween‐corn emulsions. Atomic force and confocal laser scanning microscopy images showed that the protein hydrolyzed and oil droplets aggregated during simulated gastric phase digestion. Following the exposure of oil droplets in the small intestine phase, the PRPI‐corn emulsion had a high rate of free fatty acid release (99.13 ± 2.49%), and the retention rate and bioavailability of BITC from the PRPI‐corn emulsion were 75.93 ± 7.17% and 77.32 ± 5.36%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those measured for the other emulsions (P < 0.05). Moreover, the Kₐ and Pₑff of the PRPI‐corn emulsion reached the maximum value at 45 min and then decreased slowly. These results suggest that the PRPI‐corn emulsion delivery system is effective in encapsulating, delivering, and protecting BITC. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study provides some useful information for the food industry to develop a Pseudosciaena crocea roe protein isolate (PRPI) emulsion that could be successfully used to construct a BITC delivery system and improve benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) bioavailability. The protective effect on BITC assessed in vitro simulated gastrointestinal tract and in situ single‐pass intestinal perfusion are discussed.