Denatured lactoglobulin and polyphenol coassemblies

Abstract

The present invention is directed to co-assembled nanoparticle composition comprising denatured β-lactoglobulin and at least one nutraceutical compound, specifically polyphenols, such as EGCG, compositions comprising same and methods of preparing thereof.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A nanoparticle system comprising a plurality of nanoparticles, each nanoparticle comprises heat treated globular protein and a nutraceutical compound. 
     
     
         22 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 21 , wherein the globular protein is selected from the group consisting of globulins and albumins. 
     
     
         23 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 21 , wherein the globular protein is β-lactoglobulin. 
     
     
         24 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 21 , wherein the heat treated globular protein is a globular protein incubated in a temperature within the range of 65° C. to 95° C. 
     
     
         25 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 24 , wherein the heat treated globular protein is a globular protein incubated in a temperature within the range of 65° C. to 95° C. for 1 to 30 minutes. 
     
     
         26 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 21 , wherein the heat treated globular protein is a denatured globular protein. 
     
     
         27 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles exhibit a particle size distribution within the range of 1 nm to 1,000 nm. 
     
     
         28 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles exhibit a particle size distribution within the range of 1 nm to 500 nm. 
     
     
         29 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 21 , wherein the nutraceutical compound is a polyphenol. 
     
     
         30 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 21 , wherein the nutraceutical compound is selected from the group consisting of EGCG, EGC, EC and ECG. 
     
     
         31 . The nanoparticle system of  claim 21 , having a pH above 6.5. 
     
     
         32 . A nanoparticle system comprising a plurality of nanoparticles, each nanoparticle comprises heat treated β-lactoglobulin and EGCG. 
     
     
         33 . A nutritionally-fortified liquid composition comprising: water and the nanoparticle system of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         34 . The nutritionally-fortified liquid composition of  claim 33 , having a turbidity within the range of 0 to 0.4 
     
     
         35 . The nutritionally-fortified liquid composition of  claim 33 , further comprising at least one nutraceutical agent selected from the group consisting of: vitamins, minerals, amino-acids, anti-oxidants, enzymes, hormones, botanicals, herbals, dietary supplements, pro-biotics, pre-biotics, soluble fibers, and energy sources. 
     
     
         36 . The nutritionally-fortified liquid composition of  claim 33 , further comprising a component, selected from the group consisting of aromas, flavors and colors. 
     
     
         37 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the nanoparticle system of  claim 21  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         38 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 37 , further comprising at least one other pharmaceutical agent. 
     
     
         39 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 37 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is an excipient mixed with the nanoparticle system or the nanoparticle system is enclosed within the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         40 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 37  wherein the globular protein is β-lactoglobulin and the nutraceutical compound is EGCG. 
     
     
         41 . A method of treating or preventing a disease, comprising administering to a person in need thereof the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 21 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of: cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, obesity and cancer. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered parenterally or orally. 
     
     
         43 . A method of preparing nanoparticles comprising heat treated globular protein and a nutraceutical compound, comprising:
 (a) providing a protein solution comprising a globular protein;   (b) incubating the protein solution at a temperature within the range of 65° C. to 95° C.; and   (c) mixing the heated protein solution with a nutraceutical compound.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the protein solution is incubated for 1 to 30 min. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein prior to step (c) the protein solution is cooled down to room temperature. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the globular protein is selected from the group consisting of globulins and albumins. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the globular protein is β-lactoglobulin. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the nutraceutical compound is a polyphenol. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the nutraceutical compound is catechin. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the nutraceutical compound is selected from the group consisting of EGCG, ECG, EGC and EC. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the nutraceutical compound is EGCG and the globular protein is β-lactoglobulin.