Development and Characterization of Astaxanthin-Containing Whey Protein-Based Nanoparticles

Abstract

Astaxanthin (ASX) is a carotenoid of great interest due to its potential health benefits. However, its use in the food, feed, and pharmaceutical fields is limited due to low bioavailability, poor stability during thermochemical treatments, susceptibility to oxidation, and poor organoleptic characteristics. The aim of this work was to develop a method to stabilize astaxanthin extracted from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis (H.p.) and to improve its nutritional and functional properties through nanoencapsulation. Nanoparticles (NPs) were produced by emulsification–solvent evaporation technique starting from H.p. oleoresin using whey proteins concentrate (WPC) as stabilizer. The efficiency of encapsulation was 96%. The particle size (Z-average) was in the range of 80–130 nm and the superficial charge (measured as zeta-potential) was negative (−20 to −30 mV). The stability of the NPs upon resuspension in water was assayed through a panel of stress tests, i.e., extreme pH, UV radiation, Fe3+ exposition, and heating at 65 °C, that always showed a superior performance of encapsulated ASX in comparison to oleoresin, even if NPs tended to precipitate at pH 3.5–5.5. Simulated gastroenteric digestion was conducted to study the release of ASX in physiological conditions, and showed a maximum bioaccessibility of 76%, with 75% ASX converted into the more bioavailable free form. The collected data suggest that NPs might have possible future applications as supplements for human and animal diets.

The Astaxanthin Aggregation Pattern Greatly Influences Its Antioxidant Activity: A Comparative Study in Caco-2 Cells

“…However, the AST encapsulation efficiency was only 26.1% with a loading capacity of 7.5%. By using an emulsification-solvent evaporation method, Zanoni et al [7] prepared AST/whey protein nanoparticles with an encapsulation efficiency as high as 96%. The nanoparticles showed a particle size of 130 nm with a negative zeta potential value of 30 mV.…”

Astaxanthin-Loaded Stealth Lipid Nanoparticles (AST-SSLN) as Potential Carriers for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: Formulation Development and Optimization

“…SLN present several advantages over other colloidal carriers (liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles) such as higher drug stability, incorporation of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, absence of toxicity, easy large-scale production, and the possibility of lyophilization. The composition of these nanoparticles, along with their characteristics, make them ideal for the carrying/delivery of sensitive bioactive compounds, protecting them against chemical degradation and also facilitating their application in various administration routes [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. The encapsulation of drugs into these nano-carriers increases their solubility, stability, cell uptake, specificity, tolerability, and therapeutic index.…”

Astaxanthin and other Nutrients from Haematococcus pluvialis—Multifunctional Applications

“…The cell walls of aplanspor must be broken because they undergo partial digestion. Oils containing astaxanthin are not organoleptically attractive, due to the smell and taste of algae [ 113 ]. Satisfactorily, in recent years, there has been more and more research into the incorporation of astaxanthin into food and animal feed.…”