Preparation of Stable Aqueous Nanodispersions of β-Carotene by Supercritical Assisted Injection in a Liquid Antisolvent

Abstract

Abstract In food industry, nanodispersions of water-insoluble active compounds are attractive food ingredients as they improve food formulations and the bioavailability of the active compounds. β-carotene, is a natural colorant used in food industry and, besides its excellent colorant properties, it has been employed as precursor of retinol and retinoic acid which have an important role in human health as vitamin A precursor and as cellular regulatory signal, respectively. Carotenoids are practically insoluble in water; it is possible to enhance their dissolution rate by lowering the particle size. For these reasons, precipitation processes are needed for the production of stabilized nanodispersion of β-carotene, thaking into account that carotenoids are unstable compounds, very sensitive to oxidation processes. Supercritical fluid precipitation techniques are exceptionally suitable for labile products. The precipitation process can be performed at mild temperature conditions, on an inert atmosphere, particle sizes in the micron and sub-micron range can be obtained. Recently a new supercritical assisted process was developed for the direct production of stabilized nanoparticles suspensions. The process, named Supercritical Assisted Injection in Liquid Antisolvent (SAILA), produces stable nanoparticle suspensions in water. In this work SAILA process was successfully applied for the production of β-carotene nanoparticle water suspensions. Nanoparticles in the range 50-150 nm were produced varying the process conditions. The produced nanodispersions produced were characterized by high Zeta-potential values and maintain their stabily over months.