Insights into Micellization of Octenylsuccinated Oat β-Glucan and Uptake and Controlled Release of β-Carotene by the Resultant Micelles

The core-shell structured micelles from octenylsuccinated oat β-glucan (OSβG) are able to solubilize β-carotene (βC). This study reveals molecular interactions governing the formation, stabilization, and βC uptake of OSβG micelles (OSβG-Ms) by means such as water contact angle, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, dynamic light scattering, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results indicated that the micellization of OSβG molecules is triggered by hydrophobic interactions between octenylsuccinate (OSA) moieties, while OSβG-Ms are stabilized via both hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. For their uptake of βC, βC molecules are first adsorbed onto OSβG-Ms by interacting with OSA moieties scattered on micelle surface. By further interacting with OSA moieties located in micelle shell, βC molecules travel across the shell and finally are trapped in the hydrophobic core. In simulated gastrointestinal fluids, βC is controlled released from OSβG-Ms as an integrated consequence of its diffusion as well as the swelling and erosion of OSβG-Ms. As a result, this study first uncovered the mechanism underlying the uptake of βC by OSβG-Ms, which will certainly facilitate the effective loading of hydrophobic ingredients by OSβG-Ms.