Calcium-loaded lipopeptides for enhanced bioavailability and reduction of calcium deficiency.

This study investigates the development of lipopeptide-based calcium complexes to enhance calcium bioavailability. Two distinct lipopeptide components were extracted from Bacillus mojavensis HF: a solvent-extracted lipopeptide (LP), and an extracellular lipopeptide composite (ELC), obtained through salting-out. Initial tests revealed that ELC was more negatively charged and exhibited superior efficacy in dissolving CaCO3, leading to the selection of ELC for complex preparation. Two types of ELC-based complexes were prepared using CaCO3 and CaCl2, and characterization techniques confirmed the incorporation of calcium salts into the ELC matrix. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis showed the presence of 25 % calcium in the ELC/CaCO₃ complex and 15 % in the ELC/CaCl₂ complex. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) revealed that CaCO3 exhibited superior thermal stability, with significant degradation occurring above 300 °C. The solubility and particle size analysis revealed that the complexes exhibit significant solubility under simulated intestinal conditions, even in the presence of oxalic acid. This suggests a strong potential for enhanced calcium bioavailability. This study is the first report on the application of a bacterial lipopeptide composite to enhance the bioavailability of calcium, which could represent a step toward developing new calcium supplement formulations.