ResearchMay 7, 20260 views

Nano-liposomal delivery of Gracilaria corticata bioactive peptides for improved stability and controlled gastrointestinal release.

Gracilaria corticata peptides just got a serious upgrade. Researchers have wrapped these marine bioactive peptides in nano-liposomes, massively improving their stability and dialing in controlled release through the digestive tract. Translation: more peptide activity where it counts, less wasted potential.

Sci Rep

by Heydari-Majd M, Mahmoodi F, Rezaeinia H et al.

“Nano-liposomal delivery of Gracilaria corticata bioactive peptides for improved stability and controlled gastrointestinal release. Heydari-Majd M(1), Mahmoodi F(2), Rezaeinia H(3), Saravani R(4)(5), Molaveisi M(6), Shahidi Noghabi M(7), Meftahizade H(8), Dahmardeh S(9)(10). Author information: (1)Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ardakan University, P.O. Box 184, Ardakan, Iran. (2)Department of Food Science and Technology, Quchan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran. (3)Department of Food Nanotechnology, Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST), Km 12 Mashhad-Quchan Highway, P.O. Box 91895/157/356, Mashhad, Iran. (4)Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. raminsaravani@gmail.com. (5)Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. raminsaravani@gmail.com. (6)Department of Food Chemistry, Research Institute of Food Science and Technology, Mashhad-Quchan Highway, PO Box 91735-147, Mashhad, Iran. molaveisi@sdut.edu.cn. (7)Department of Food Chemistry, Research Institute of Food Science and Technology, Mashhad-Quchan Highway, PO Box 91735-147, Mashhad, Iran. (8)Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran. (9)Faculty of Pharmacy, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran. (10)Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a liposomal nano-delivery system for bioactive peptide fractions (PFs) derived from Gracilaria corticata algae proteins. The peptides were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis using alcalase, pancreatin, and trypsin. The resulting PF-loaded nanoliposomes were characterized in terms of degree of hydrolysis (DH), particle size, ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS assays). Among the tested enzymes, alcalase produced hydrolysates with the highest DH (33%) and EE (84%). The particle size of nanoliposomes ranged from 68.1 to 78.1 nm, with PDI values between 0.28 and 0.32, indicating good size uniformity. ζ-potential values became more negative upon PF encapsulation (from - 7.90 to - 15.80 mV), enhancing colloidal stability. Antioxidant activity of the PF-loaded liposomes was preserved, with maximum DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging observed for alcalase and pancreatin hydrolysates, respectively. Hydrolysates obtained with alcalase were chosen for further studies. Further structural and thermal analyses (TEM, FTIR, and DSC) confirmed successful PF encapsulation and improved thermal stability. TEM and FTIR analyses confirmed the spherical morphology and successful peptide encapsulation within the liposomal bilayer. In vitro release studies in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids demonstrated sustained release, with minimal PF release (7.45%) in gastric conditions and controlled release up to 95.4% under intestinal conditions. These findings suggest that nano-liposomal encapsulation is an effective strategy to enhance the stability, bioactivity, and delivery of marine-derived peptides in functional food or nutraceutical applications. © 2026. The Author(s). Conflict of interest statement: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.”

The team started by extracting peptide fractions from Gracilaria corticata algae using three enzymes: alcalase, pancreatin, and trypsin. Alcalase turned out to be the MVP, cranking out hydrolysates with the highest degree of hydrolysis (33%) and encapsulation efficiency (84%). The result? Uniform nanoliposomes in the 68–78 nm range, with a tight particle size distribution and a more negative ζ-potential for solid colloidal stability.

Why does this matter? Because peptides hate harsh stomach conditions. Most get broken down before they can do anything interesting. But these nano-liposomes barely released any peptides in simulated gastric fluid (7.45%). Once they hit simulated intestinal fluid, though, they opened the peptide floodgates—up to 95.4% release. That means you actually get the bioactivity where it matters.

Other highlights:

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Antioxidant power stayed intact after encapsulation, confirmed by DPPH and ABTS assays.

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Encapsulated peptides held up better under heat and maintained their shape, proven by FTIR, TEM, and DSC analyses.

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Controlled delivery means less peptide lost to the stomach, more reaching its target.

Key takeaway: Nano-liposomal technology is making marine-derived peptides way more practical for functional foods, supplements, and beyond. It’s a reminder of how far peptide research has come in solving stability and delivery issues. If you’re sourcing or working with peptides, keep an eye on these encapsulation strategies—they’re changing the game.

For more on suppliers and sourcing, check out our vendor directory. Peptide delivery just leveled up.

Back to News Read original on Sci Rep

Nano-liposomal delivery of Gracilaria corticata bioactive peptides for improved stability and controlled gastrointestinal release.

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