Abstract: Zein nanofibers loaded with sea buckthorn oil (SBO) were prepared by electrospinning technology with the addition of sea buckthorn leaf extract (SBE) to improve oil stability and oxidation resistance. The physical properties of nanofibers were characterized, and the changes in the color parameters, peroxide value (PV) and antioxidant activity of encapsulated SBO were tested during accelerated oxidative storage. In addition, the changes in the release rate of SBO and antioxidant activity were also investigated during simulated digestion. The results showed that the encapsulation efficiency of zein + SBO and zein + SBO + SBE were both greater than 90%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the prepared nanofibers were uniform in shape, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the successful encapsulation and uniform dispersion of SBO in the fiber. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that SBO nanometer fibers began to degrade at around 300 ℃ and had high heat resistance. The addition of SBE greatly improved the oxidation resistance of nanofibers and inhibited the oxidation process of SBO, and significantly improved the storage stability of SBO in synergism with nanoencapsulation. Nano-encapsulated SBO was released slowly under gastrointestinal conditions, and the antioxidant activity of zein + SBO + SBE was still high after digestion. In conclusion, the addition of SBE and physical encapsulation are both effective in improving the stability and antioxidant activity of SBO.

Key words: sea buckthorn oil; sea buckthorn leaf; nanofibers; electrospinning; stability