Cellular Uptake and Cytotoxicity of β-Lactoglobulin Nanoparticles: The Effects of Particle Size and Surface Charge

It is necessary to understand the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of food-grade delivery systems, such as ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin (${\beta}$-lg) nanoparticles, for the application of bioactive compounds to functional foods. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationships between the physicochemical properties of ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles, such as particle size and zeta-potential value, and their cellular uptakes and cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. Physicochemical properties of ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles were evaluated using particle size analyzer. Flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to investigate cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles. The ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles with various particle sizes (98 to 192 nm) and zeta-potential values (-14.8 to -17.6 mV) were successfully formed. A decrease in heating temperature from $70^{\circ}C$ to $60^{\circ}C$ resulted in a decrease in the particle size and an increase in the zeta-potential value of ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles. Non-cytotoxicity was observed in Caco-2 cells treated with ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles. There was an increase in cellular uptake of ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles with a decrease in particle size and an increase in zeta-potential value. Cellular uptake ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles was negatively correlated with particle size and positively correlated with zeta-potential value. Therefore, these results suggest that the particle size and zeta-potential value of ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles play an important role in the cellular uptake. The ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles can be used as a delivery system in foods due to its high cellular uptake and non-cytotoxicity.