Digestion behavior, in vitro and in vivo bioavailability of cannabidiol in emulsions stabilized by whey protein-maltodextrin conjugate: Impact of carrier oil

An emulsion delivery system may be affected significantly by oil phase composition in terms of digestion behavior and bioavailability of the delivered substance. In this study, emulsions loaded with cannabidiol (CBD) were prepared with medium chain triglyceride (MCT), long chain triglyceride (LCT) or MCT/LCT(1:1) as carrier oil and whey protein-maltodextrin conjugate as emulsifier, and the digestion behavior of emulsion and bioavailability of CBD were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The particle size of emulsions throughout the in vitro digestion process was in the order of MCT MCT. Although CBD had higher bioaccessibility in MCT and MCT/LCT emulsions, the bioavailability of CBD in LCT was the highest (43%), followed by MCT/LCT (39%), MCT (33%). In vivo pharmacokinetic study showed that MCT/LCT and LCT were more favorable for CBD transport and absorption. The results may provide useful information for the construction of delivery systems, protecting CBD molecules, and improving their bioavailability. [Display omitted] •CBD was encapsulated in emulsions with MCT, LCT, or MCT/LCT (1:1, v:v) as oil phase.•MCT emulsions had the fastest digestion rate in the in vitro digestion experiments.•Transformation, bioaccessibility, and in vitro bioavailability of CBD were studied.•LCT and MCT/LCT are more beneficial to in vivo bioavailability of CBD.