Preparation of 9Z-β-Carotene and 9Z-β-Carotene High-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: Characterization and Storage Stability

Abstract

Cis (Z)-β-carotenes with 25.3% 9Z-β-carotene were prepared for nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The optimal conditions for NLC preparation using an orthogonal experimental method were as follows: the total lipid concentration was 9% (w/v), the surfactant concentration was 1.4% (w/v), the solid to liquid lipid ratio was 3:1 (w/w), and the homogenization pressure was set at 500 bar for three cycles. Under these conditions, the encapsulation efficiency (%) of the NLC was 95.64%, and the total β-carotene in NLCs was 2.9 mg/mL, which was significantly higher than those reported by others. The proportion of total Z-β-carotenes was as high as 53.3%, the particle size was 191 ± 6.46 nm, and the polydispersity index was 0.2 ± 0.03. Storage stability results indicated that the β-carotene-loaded NLC stabilizes both 9Z-β-carotene and total β-carotene from leakage and degradation during 21 days of storage at pH 3.5–7.5 at low temperatures (4 °C), especially for the more bioactive 9Z-β-carotene. The technique with an improved ratio of 9Z-β-carotene, loading capacity, water solubility, and bioaccessibility of the β-carotene NLC provides an effective strategy for β-carotene applications in functional foods or beverages and in nutraceutical preparations.

Fate of β-Carotene within Loaded Delivery Systems in Food: State of Knowledge

“…A high-pressure homogenization method was adopted to encapsulate 9Z-β-carotene and total β-carotene in NLCs for its physico-chemical characterization and evaluated their stability during storage stability. It was observed that βcarotene-loaded NLCs stabilized both 9Z-β-carotene and total β-carotene not only from leakage but also from degradation against pH variations (pH 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5) also found high stable at 37ºC during 21 days of storage [273]. Despite being the most advanced delivery method for processing of the sensitive bioactive compounds, applications of NLCs for β-carotene have been limited and its food applications are rather rarer.…”

Fate of β-Carotene within Loaded Delivery Systems in Food: State of Knowledge

“…A high-pressure homogenization method was adopted to encapsulate 9Z-β-carotene and total β-carotene in NLCs for its physicochemical characterization and evaluated their stability during storage stability. It was observed that β-carotene-loaded NLCs stabilized both 9Z-β-carotene and total β-carotene not only from leakage but also from degradation against pH variations (pH 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5) and were found to be highly stable at 37 • C over 21 days of storage [346]. Despite being the most advanced delivery method for processing of the sensitive bioactive compounds, applications of NLCs for β-carotene have been limited and their food applications are rather rare.…”

Continuous Production of Z-Isomer-Rich β-Carotene Nanosuspensions Utilizing Subcritical Fluid and a Swirl-Type Mixer

“…β-Carotene is an important member of the carotenoid family and is a principal carotenoid in carrots and pumpkins. , This carotenoid is the preferential source of vitamin A in mammals and exhibits high antioxidant activity; thus, its consumption results in various health benefits for humans. − However, the oral bioavailability of carotenoids, including β-carotene, is very low due to their high crystallinity and poor water solubility, which is a serious problem for the industrial use of carotenoids. − Traditionally, fine pulverizing treatments and water solubilization with emulsifiers have been performed to enhance the bioavailability of carotenoids. , For example, Mahalakshmi et al reported that nanoencapsulated β-carotene (average particle size of 653 nm) had a 1.8-fold increased permeability compared to that of microparticles (average particle size of 2104 nm) in an ex vivo -everted gut sac technique. Recent studies have focused on the Z -isomerization of carotenoids as a means of improving their bioavailability. , Most natural carotenoids are present in the all- E -configuration, whereas thermal treatment and light irradiation induce Z -isomerization. , Thermally generated carotenoid Z -isomers have higher bioavailability and tissue accumulation efficiency than the all- E -isomers. − For example, an oral administration trial using rats showed that β-carotene rich in the Z -isomer (total Z -isomer ratio of 83.6%), which was prepared from the all- E -isomer by thermal treatment, induced a 5.3-fold increase in its concentration in blood plasma and a >5-fold increase in its concentration in several tissues, such as adrenal and testis, compared to β-carotene rich in the all- E -isomer (total Z -isomer ratio of 2.2%) .…”