pH-responsive multi-network composite cellulose-based hydrogels for stable delivery of oral IgY-Fab fragments

[Display omitted] •An excellent composite hydrogels were designed for delivery of IgY-Fab fragment.•Encapsulation efficiency was up to 99.25% and load capacity was to 45.11 mg/100 mg.•Fab was finally released in its stable form with a purity of 79.65%•Interactions between Fab and the hydrogels were explained in -OH, -CH2, and -COO−.•The hydrogel would enhance thermal stability of Fab and be with excellent rehydration. Yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) is perfect supplement to mammalian immunoglobulin G in passive immune protection but with poor delivery stability. This work succeeded in pH-responsive oral delivery of IgY-Fab fragments with cellulose based multi-network composite hydrogels. Data displayed that the hydrogel 2 showed superior mechanical properties and load performance (encapsulation efficiency of 99.25% and loading capacity of 45.11 mg/100 mg). The stability of the released Fab was confirmed by HPLC with Fab purity up to 79.65% at the end of digestion. The FTIR spectra revealed the potential interactions between Fab and the hydrogel matrix of the formation of hydrogen bonds or electrostatic interactions between the groups of -OH, -CH2, and -COO−. The excellent rehydration of the hydrogels wouldn't be impacted by low-temperature freeze drying. In sum, this work is of great significance to the development of Fab-themed health-care food, intensive processing of poultry eggs and the economic construction of related industries.