Fabrication and Characterization of β-Lactoglobulin-Based Nanocomplexes Composed of Chitosan Oligosaccharides as Vehicles for Delivery of Astaxanthin

Abstract

Astaxanthin (Ax), a type of carotenoid, has limited use as a result of its poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and decomposition under harsh conditions. This study reports a delivery system for Ax through a simple affinity binding with β-lactoglobulin and then coated with chitosan oligosaccharides. Ax-loaded β-lactoglobulin nanocomplexes and chitosan oligosaccharide-coated nanocomplexes were successfully prepared. The nanocomplexes exhibited a smooth spherical shape with diameters of about 40 and 60 nm measured by transmission electron microscopy. Spectroscopic techniques (ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) combined with molecular docking were used to determine the binding mechanism of Ax and β-lactoglobulin. In comparison to native Ax, the nanocomplexes maintain the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of Ax under the treatment of acid, high temperature, and ultraviolet radiation. The release experiment of nanocomplexes revealed that the encapsulation could provide prolonged release of Ax in simulated gastrointestinal juices. This study aimed to fabricate and characterize Ax-β-lactoglobulin nanocomplexes, which can improve the Ax stability and slow release.

Fucoxanthin@Polyvinylpyrrolidone Nanoparticles Promoted Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death in Caco-2 Human Colon Cancer Cells

“…The method for evaluating the stability of FX and FX@PVP NPs was slightly modified according to Tie et al [38] and Liu et al [39]. The thermal stability was assessed by placing equal volumes (1 mL) of samples in a water bath at different temperatures (40, 50, 60 • C) for 24 h, then the contents of FX in freeze-dried samples were determined by HPLC.…”

Optimization and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles loaded with astaxanthin and evaluation of anti-photodamage effect in vitro

“…Given these conditions, some researchers developed effective strategies such as nanoparticulate drug delivery technologies to overcome these problems and enhance the bioavailability of astaxanthin. For example, Liu et al developed a new delivery system, which encapsulated astaxanthin with β-lactoglobulin and chitosan oligosaccharides to improve the stability and antioxidant activity of astaxanthin [11], and Wu et al . reported that astaxanthin was successfully incorporated into hyaluronic acid nanoparticles via an electrostatic field system and had a better recovery effect than astaxanthin alone on retrorsine–CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis in the rat model [12].…”

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

“…In the present work, whey proteins concentrate (WPC), a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) material with high nutritional value, has been employed as a carrier to produce water-dispersible ASX nanoparticles (NPs). WPC represents an added-value byproduct of the cheese production chain and a cheaper solution in comparison to recently described solutions based on purified whey proteins [25]. The incorporation of carotenoids in a nanocarrier also poses relevant stability issues.…”