Abstract: In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and genipin (GP) were used to prepare BSA nanoparticles loaded with black rice anthocyanins (BRA-BSAGP) to improve the stability and bioactivity of BRA. The interaction between BSAGP and BRA was analyzed, the release characteristics of BRA-BSAGP during simulated gastrointestinal digestion were explored, and the ameliorative effect and mechanism of BRA-BSAGP on Caco-2 cell damage induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) were investigated. BRA-BSAGP showed a uniform spherical morphology with an encapsulation efficiency of (81.10 ± 0.08)%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the successful encapsulation of BRA in BSA nanoparticles. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion demonstrated that BRA-BSAGP nanoparticles effectively delayed the release of BRA, with release percentages of 22.51% and 20.10% under simulated fasting and fed conditions, respectively. BRA-BSAGP significantly increased the survival rate of Caco-2 cells induced by DSS and up-regulated the expression of tight junction proteins (Claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1). This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of BRA in developing functional foods for alleviating ulcerative colitis.

Key words: black rice anthocyanins; bovine serum albumin; genipin; Caco-2 cell