Abstract: In order to improve the bioavailability of resveratrol (Res), resveratrol was encapsulated in recombinant human heavy-chain ferritin (rHuHF) by ultrasonic treatment. rHuHF-Res were characterized, the interaction between Res and rHuHF was analyzed, and the antioxidant properties of rHuHF-Res were evaluated in simulated gastrointestinal juices. The results showed that approximately 22 resveratrol molecules could be encapsulated in one ferritin molecule with an encapsulation efficiency of 11.25%. Transmission electron microscopicy (TEM) results showed that resveratrol was encapsulated into the cavity of ferritin. The particle size of rHuHF-Res composites was not different from that of rHuHF as when detected by a laser particle size analyzer. The cavity of ferritin could protect Res from photothermal degradation. The results of ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed that ferritin and resveratrol could interact through hydrogen bonds and other forces. After digestion, the superoxide anion radical and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity of the composites were significantly higher than those of resveratrol (P < 0.05). The ferritin-resveratrol nanoparticles have good photothermal stability and antioxidant property, which provides a certain theoretical basis for its future development and utilization.

Key words: ferritin; resveratrol; composites; characterization; antioxidant property