Constructing Starch-Based Porous Delivery System to Enhance the Stability and Intestinal Absorption Properties of Brown Algal Polyphenols

Brown algal polyphenols (BAP) possess various biological activities, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, their inherent instability severely limits the efficient utilization of BAP. This study prepared a biodegradable porous corn starch (PS) delivery system <i>via</i> dual-enzyme hydrolysis technology, aiming to achieve stable gastrointestinal transport of BAP. Compared with corn starch, PS₂ (corn starch enzymatically hydrolyzed for 2 h) exhibited a 55.41% increase in water absorption efficiency and significantly enhanced hydroxyl group exposure, providing abundant binding sites for BAP. Meanwhile, PS₂ maintained the relative DPPH radical scavenging activity of BAP, with only a 16.78% decrease during gastrointestinal digestion (BAP decreased by 59.25%), controlling the protonation effect of BAP during digestion. Furthermore, PS₂-BAP effectively downregulated the expression of inflammatory factors in colitis mice, inhibited the production of oxidative products, and maintained the integrity of the colonic structure. PS provides a new strategy for developing more stable and effective BAP products.