Lipophilic Bioactives Research Articles

Hyaluronic acid-poly(glyceryl)10-stearate nanoemulsion for co-delivery of fish oil and resveratrol: Enhancing bioaccessibility and antioxidant potency

Hyaluronic acid (HA), an endogenous polysaccharide comprising alternating D-glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine units, is renowned for its high hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. These attributes have rendered HA invaluable across medical and drug delivery fields. HA can be altered through physical, chemical, or enzymatic methods to improve the properties of the modified substances. In this work, we synthesized a derivative via the esterification of HA with poly(glyceryl)10-stearate (PG10-C18), designated as HA-PG10-C18. This novel derivative was employed to fabricate a nano co-delivery system (HA-PG10-C18@Res-NE) for fish oil and resveratrol (Res), aiming to enhance their stability and bioaccessibility. An exhaustive investigation of HA-PG10-C18@Res-NE revealed that the HA-modified system displayed superior physicochemical stability, notably in withstanding oxidation and neutralizing free radicals. Moreover, in vitro simulated digestion underscored the system's enhanced bioaccessibility of Res and more efficient release of free fatty acids. These outcomes underscore the strategic advantage of HA in modifying PG10-C18 for nanoemulsion formulation. Consequently, HA-PG10-C18 stands as a promising emulsifier for encapsulating lipophilic bioactives in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.

Chondroitin Sulfate-Based Nanocapsules as Nanocarriers for Drugs and Nutraceutical Supplements.

Oil-core nanocapsules (NCs, also known as nanoemulsions) are of great interest due to their application as efficient carriers of various lipophilic bioactives, such as drugs. Here, we reported for the first time the preparation and characterization of NCs consisting of chondroitin sulfate (CS)-based shells and liquid oil cores. For this purpose, two amphiphilic CS derivatives (AmCSs) were obtained by grafting the polysaccharide chain with octadecyl or oleyl groups. AmCS-based NCs were prepared by an ultrasound-assisted emulsification of an oil phase consisting of a mixture of triglyceride oil and vitamin E in a dispersion of AmCSs. Dynamic light scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy showed that the as-prepared core-shell NCs have typical diameters in the range of 30-250 nm and spherical morphology. Since CS is a strong polyanion, these particles have a very low surface potential, which promotes their stabilization. The cytotoxicity of the CS derivatives and CS-based NCs and their impact on cell proliferation were analyzed using human keratinocytes (HaCaTs) and primary human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). In vitro studies showed that AmCSs dispersed in an aqueous medium, exhibiting mild cytotoxicity against HaCaTs, while for HSFs, the harmful effect was observed only for the CS derivative with octadecyl side groups. However, the nanocapsules coated with AmCSs, especially those filled with vitamin E, show high biocompatibility with human skin cells. Due to their stability under physiological conditions, the high encapsulation efficiency of their hydrophobic compounds, and biocompatibility, AmCS-based NCs are promising carriers for the topical delivery of lipophilic bioactive compounds.

Novel pH- and thermal-responsive oleogel capsules: Featuring an oleogel core and ultrathin calcium-alginate shell

Oleogels have been explored as a new lipid-based delivery system, however, their insolubility and unsuitable shape severely limit their application in food systems. Herein, core-shell oleogel capsules with high monodispersity (coefficient variation (CV) < 5%)) were prepared via gravity-assisted co-flowing microfluidic device and simply air-drying. The oleogel capsules with oleogel core and ultrathin calcium-alginate shell were prepared. Oleogel capsules maintained their original shape at pH = 2.0 but swelled rapidly at pH = 6.8 and 7.4. The swelling ratio of shell can be adjusted by inner fluid flow rate (Qin). Notably, the core with beeswax (BW) crystal network, effectively improved the stability performances and also could provide thermal response. Finally, the oleogel capsules demonstrated excellent sustained release and UV protection of lipophilic bioactives. This work sheds light on development of novel oleogel capsules, making them ideal candidates for smart food encapsulation applications.

Preparation and characterization of astaxanthin-loaded microcapsules stabilized by lecithin-chitosan-alginate interfaces with layer-by-layer assembly method

Astaxanthin is a kind of keto-carotenes with various health benefits. However, its solubility and chemical stability are poor, which leads to low bio-availability. Microcapsules have been reported to improve the solubility, chemical stability, and bio-availability of lipophilic bioactives. Freeze-dried astaxanthin-loaded microcapsules were prepared by layer-by-layer assembly of tertiary emulsions with maltodextrin as the filling matrix. Tertiary emulsions were fabricated by performing chitosan and sodium alginate electrostatic deposition onto soybean lecithin stabilized emulsions. 0.9 wt% of chitosan solution, 0.3 wt% of sodium alginate solution and 20 wt% of maltodextrin were optimized as the suitable concentrations. The prepared microcapsules were powders with irregular blocky structures. The astaxanthin loading was 0.56 ± 0.05 % and the encapsulation efficiency was >90 %. A slow release of astaxanthin could be observed in microcapsules promoted by the modulating of chitosan, alginate and maltodextrin. In vitro simulated digestion displayed that the microcapsules increased the bio-accessibility of astaxanthin to 69 ± 1 %. Chitosan, alginate and maltodextrin can control the digestion of microcapsules. The coating of chitosan and sodium alginate, and the filling of maltodextrin in microcapsules improved the chemical stability of astaxanthin. The constructed microcapsules were valuable to enrich scientific knowledge about improving the application of functional ingredients.

Theoretical and Experimental Determinations of the Hydrophilic–Lipophilic Balance (HLB) of Representative Oils and Lecithins

The hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) is a valuable parameter used to determine the relative hydrophobicity of a compound based on its chemical structure. This semi-empirical parameter has been instrumental in formulating oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions using well-characterized ingredients with known HLB values. However, recent trends toward the use of minimally processed “virgin” oils of therapeutic or nutritional value may render the reported “required HLB” values inaccurate. Minimally processed oils can contain numerous compounds at varying or unknown concentrations, rendering the HLB value incalculable. Factors such as regional source, growing season, and processing method contribute to the variability in oil composition. Furthermore, the solubilization of lipophilic bioactives in oils can significantly alter the HLB of the oil phase in a concentration-dependent manner. This complicates the formulation of emulsions, as the HLB values of both the oil phase and emulsifiers must be closely matched to achieve stable formulations. This study presents a simple and efficient experimental method to determine an HLB value of a complex ingredient without resorting to lengthy Design-of-Experiment (DoE) matrices and trial-and-error approaches. The optimal HLB of a formulation can be determined from a series of experiments in which two well-characterized surfactants of known HLB values are mixed at varying proportions with an unknown oil phase, where the HLB of the oil is considered to match the HLB value of the surfactants combined at the proportion at which nanoemulsions with the smallest, most stable oil droplets are formed. Similarly, when the HLB values of the oil phase and other contributing components are precisely known, the unknown HLB of a complex natural surfactant can be calculated. These calculations assist in formulating emulsions efficiently and effectively by ensuring optimal compatibility among all the components.

Citrus peel pectin and alginate-based emulgel particles for small intestine-targeted oral delivery of curcumin

Polysaccharides are a prominent choice in the realm of food-grade oral delivery systems due to their resistance to degradation by digestive enzymes in the oral, gastric, and small intestinal environments, as well as their ease of production, cost-effectiveness, and potential health benefits as prebiotics. Furthermore, their ability to respond to pH-induced dissolution, along with their emulsifying properties, can be strategically employed to achieve precise targeting of lipophilic bioactives to the small intestine. In this study, citrus peel pectin and alginate served as stabilizers for emulgel particles without supplementary emulsifiers or gelling agents. Within this system, pectin functioned as an emulsifier, while alginate acted as a gelling agent, facilitated by Ca2+-induced ionic crosslinking. The synergistic interplay between pectin and alginate efficiently protected curcumin in gastric conditions and controlled dissolution in the small intestine, depending on the pectin/alginate ratio. These controlled phenomena facilitated lipolysis, curcumin release, and ultimately enhanced curcumin bioaccessibility. Furthermore, once the emulgel particle released all the entrapped curcumin in the small intestine, residual polysaccharides underwent facile degradation by pectinase and alginate lyase, yielding fermentable monosaccharides. This confirms the potential of the emulgel particles for use as a prebiotic in the colon. These findings offer significant promise for enhancing the systematic design of food-grade delivery systems that encapsulate lipophilic bioactives, achieving controlled release, enhanced stability, and improved bioaccessibility. Importantly, this system can comprise components that undergo complete digestion, absorption, and utilization in the human body, encompassing materials such as oil, nutraceuticals, and prebiotics, all without presenting health risks.

Digestive characteristics of astaxanthin oil in water emulsion stabilized by a casein-caffeic acid–glucose ternary conjugate

To overcome the barrier of poor oral bioavailability of astaxanthin, a stable oil-in-water emulsion was constructed using casein-caffeic acid–glucose ternary conjugates (CSC) to deliver astaxanthin, and its gastrointestinal behavior was evaluated in vitro with sodium caseinate (CSN) as a control. Results showed that, CSC-stabilized emulsion shower better resistance to the adverse conditions of the gastric environment than CSN-stabilized emulsion, and exhibited lower average particle size and aggregation (4972.33 nm, −5.93 mv) after simulated gastric digestion. Besides, after simulated intestinal digestion, the reducing capacity and astaxanthin transfer efficiency of CSC emulsion into the micellar phase were 686.74 μmol Trolox/100 mL and 26.2 %, which were 2.6 and 4.05-fold higher than that of CSN emulsion. The above results suggest that CSC can be used for better delivery of astaxanthin, which could be useful in designing foods such as functional beverages, pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements for delivery of lipophilic bioactives.

A green approach to obtaining concentrated lipophilic bioactives from oil-rich extracts via biocatalytic alcoholysis in supercritical carbon dioxide

A novel green method to concentrate β-carotene was developed by (i) ethanolysis of triolein using a commercial immobilized lipase (Novozym 435) in a supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) bioreactor, and (ii) isolation of the produced fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) from the reaction mixtures by taking the advantage of the tunable solvent properties of SC-CO2. The effects of enzymatic reaction conditions (temperature (45–65 °C), pressure (8–15 MPa), enzyme load (10–20%), and substrate mole ratio of triolein to ethanol (1:3–1:9)) on the conversion were investigated and optimized based on the FAEE content of the reaction products. The reaction carried out at 55 °C, 15 MPa, 20% enzyme load, and 1:6 substrate mole ratio in 8 h resulted in the highest FAEE content (93.3%). The isolation of FAEEs from the reaction mixtures was studied using both static and continuous SC-CO2 extractions at various temperatures (40–60 °C) and pressures (10–20 MPa). The highest FAEEs yield (89.9%) was achieved with a continuous extraction at 40 °C and 20 MPa for 4 h, where the FAEE extract (96.3% purity) has a great potential to be used as biodiesel, a sustainable alternative to petroleum diesel. Owing to the high extraction yield of FAEEs from the reaction mixture, the concentration of β-carotene was significantly increased by 9.3-fold. The proposed approach is a green, food-grade approach to produce β-carotene concentrate that can be utilized in smaller amounts to develop functional foods with health-promoting effects.

Influence of oleogel/hydrogel ratios and emulsifiers on structural and digestion properties of food-grade 3D printed bigels as carriers for quercetin and catechin

Bigels are system with great potential in 3D printing and bioactive compound delivery. In this study, 3D printed bigels based on candelilla wax oleogel and gelatin hydrogel were developed as delivery system for hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactives (namely, quercetin and catechin). Bigels with monoglyceride or lecithin formed stable gel system with 3D printing ability. Microstructural study found that changing of oleogel/hydrogel ratios (3:7, 5:5, and 7:3) under the presence of different emulsifiers (monoglyceride and lecithin) led to structural transformation of bigels from oleogel-in-hydrogel structure to hydrogel-in-oleogel or bicontinuous status. Low frequency-NMR analysis indicated that the signals of typical T2 relaxation peak were changed accordingly with variations of oleogel/hydrogel ratio and using of different emulsifiers. XRD patterns of bigels revealed their crystalline peaks grew with increase of oleogel content. In vitro digestion study found that both oleogel/hydrogel ratio and emulsifiers used exhibited large influence on the lipolysis extent, release rate of quercetin and catechin from bigels. The highest release rate for catechin (53.37%) and quercetin (11.08%) were observed in bigels containing monoglyceride with 70% oleogel and lecithin with 30% oleogel after simulated digestion, respectively. This study provided valuable guidance for developing bigels as 3D printed food with potential in co-delivery of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactives by adjusting oleogel/hydrogel ratios and emulsifiers used.

Polyphenols and Triterpenes Combination in an In Vitro Model of Cardiac Damage: Protective Effects.

Olive products contain high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids as well as other minor components such as triterpenic alcohols and other pentacyclic triterpenes, which together form the main triterpenes of virgin olive oil. Olive fruits and leaves contain significant amounts of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactives including flavones, phenolic acids and phenolic alcohols, amongst others. Several studies have shown the benefits of these substances on the cardiovascular system. Regardless, little is known about the specific combination of bioactive compounds in cardiovascular health. Thus, we aimed to test the combination of a triterpenes (TT70) and a polyphenols (HT60) olive oil bioactive extract in H9c2 cells under stress conditions: LPS and H2O2 stimulation. To evaluate the effectiveness of the combination, we measured cell viability, superoxide production and protein expression of caspase 3, eNOS, peNOS, TNF-α and Il-6. Overall, cells stimulated with LPS or H2O2 and co-incubated with the combination of triterpenes and polyphenols had increased cell survival, lower levels of superoxide anion, lower protein expression of eNOS and higher expression of peNOS, increased protein expression of SOD-1 and lower protein expression of TNF-α and Il-6. The specific combination of HT60+TT70 is of great interest for further study as a possible treatment for cardiovascular damage.

Development of fat-reduced 3D printed chocolate by substituting cocoa butter with water-in-oil emulsions

This study developed a fat-reduced 3D printed chocolate by substituting cocoa butter with gum Arabic based water-in-oil emulsions. A 3D printed chocolate formulation was firstly obtained by adjusting the ratios of powder sugar, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder. The formulations with optimal 3D printability possessed cocoa butter, icing sugar, and cocoa powder ratio of 2:1:2.5. Different levels of cocoa butter (25%, 50%, and 75%) were substituted using water-in-cocoa butter emulsions with different water/oil ratios (2:8, 3:7, 4:6, v/v) to obtain fat-reduced 3D printed chocolate. Results from differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction study suggested these fat-reduced chocolate still maintained the desired polymorphic form V of cocoa butter. Apparent viscosity study suggested that these chocolate formulations possessed shear-thinning behavior and the viscosity increased with addition of water phase. Texture profile analysis indicated that incorporation of high emulsion content increased the snap quality of these chocolate. Emulsion droplet structure was observed in optical images of fat-reduced chocolate formulations containing water-in-cocoa butter emulsions. Partially replacing 75% cocoa butter by emulsions with water/oil water ratio of 2:8 or 50% cocoa butter by emulsions with water/oil water ratio of 3:7 didn't affect the original printability of 3D printed chocolate. Overall, this study successfully developed a 3D printed fat-reduced chocolate by using gum Arabic based water-in-oil emulsions substitute, which possessed the potential to become functional chocolate for incorporation of both hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactives in the future.

Enhancement of the intestinal permeability of curcumin using Pickering emulsions stabilized by starch crystals and chitosan

Curcumin is widely known as a health-promoting polyphenol. However, gastrointestinal instability and low intestinal permeability limit its application in foods. To overcome these drawbacks, we fabricated a Pickering emulsion system stabilized by starch crystals and chitosan with the potential for steric hindrance, mucoadhesion, and reversible opening of epithelial tight junctions. During simulated digestion, chitosan-coated emulsions maintained their stability in the mouth and stomach phases, and digested slowly in the intestine phase. Through a simulated absorption test, the permeability of curcumin encapsulated in the chitosan-coated emulsions was enhanced ∼9.5-fold compared to the curcumin solution. Based on the results obtained using fluorescence micrographs and transepithelial electrical resistance of a mucus-covered Caco-2 monolayer, the enhanced intestinal permeability of curcumin was due to the electrostatic mucoadhesion and reversible epithelial tight junction opening effects of the chitosan-coating. Our findings will facilitate the rational design of foods or beverages incorporating food-grade lipophilic bioactives such as curcumin.

Red palm oil Pickering emulsion with pectin yields improved in vitro beta carotene bioaccessibility and oil stability: Physicochemical characterization and shelf stability studies

AbstractPickering emulsion of red palm oil (RPO) with pectin as stabilizer was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM parameters for final red palm oil pickering emulsion (RPE) were 3% pectin, 30% RPO, and homogenization speed of 24,000 rpm for 15 min. RPE was subjected to physicochemical characterizations, along with storage studies for 15 days. Microstructure imaging of RPE confirmed pickering emulsion formation. Droplet diameter and zeta potential of RPE were 1.779 μm and −32.5 mV, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of RPE suggested hydrogen bonding interactions between the components, and thermogravimetric analysis revealed stability up to 40°C. Gastrointestinal bioaccessibility of naturally occurring β‐carotene in the RPE (37.76 ± 1.2%) was found to be four times higher than that of RPO (8.7 ± 0.8%). The RPE was more stable at 4°C as indicated by storage analyses. RPE can improve the bioaccessibility of nutritionally important bioactive compounds.Practical applicationsPickering emulsions of RPO stabilized by pectin can be used for developing functional foods with improved bioaccessibility of lipophilic bioactives such as carotenoids as well as for the delivery of temperature sensitive nutritional and bioactive compounds. These emulsions can also be found applications in beverages, low temperature processed foods and vegan fat substitutes.

Enhanced Delivery of Sesame Oil through Nanoformulation: Edible Protein Excipients and Nanotechnology as Protagonists

For decades, researchers have gained a lot of interest for lignans-rich sesame oil due to its potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. But its potential could not be fully achieved through traditional means of delivery due to the poor aqueous solubility of lipophilic bioactives. To eliminate the unsatisfactory outcome of conventional delivery strategies and to corroborate the perception of manufacturing the bio-compatible vehicle for therapeutic delivery, present-day researches are vigorously attempting to develop nanocarrier systems with food-grade excipients.

Applications and perspectives of polyphenol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers for foods.

Imbalanced nutrition in modern society is one of the reasons for disorders, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, which have attracted the interest in bioactives (particularly polyphenols) to assist in the balanced diet of modern people. Although stability can be maintained during preparation and storage, the ingested polyphenols undergo harsh gastrointestinal digestion processes, resulting in limited bioaccessibility and low gut-epithelial permeation and bioavailability. Several lipid-based formulations have been proposed to overcome these issues. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have also been highlighted as carrier systems for the oral delivery of lipophilic bioactives, including polyphenols. This paper summarizes the research on the ingredients, production methods, post-processing procedures, general characteristics, and advantages and disadvantages of SLNs and NLCs. Overall, this paper reviews the applications and perspectives of polyphenol-loaded SLNs and NLCs in foods, as well as their regulation, production, storage, and economic feasibility.

Heat-stable liposomes from milk fat globule membrane phospholipids for pH-triggered delivery of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactives

Heat-stable, multivitamin-loaded, and surface-coated liposomes tailored for pH-triggered delivery of both lipophilic and hydrophilic bioactives were synthesized from a cocktail of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) phospholipids, supercritically extracted from buttermilk powder. Liposomes from MFGM-phospholipids (ML) were fabricated using a novel organic solvent free process based on venturi-based rapid expansion of a supercritical solution. A commercially available pH-responsive polymer, Eudragit® S100 was used to coat ML (Eu-ML). Eu-MLs were heated to 60, 75, and 90 °C for 30 min and were observed to be heat-stable as established by CLSM images, structural characterizations, and encapsulation efficiency measurements. Coating of liposomes with Eudragit® S100 protected encapsulated payload from deleterious gastric environment and facilitated site-specific pH-triggered release in the simulated intestinal condition. This study established a green method to fabricate heat-stable liposomal vehicles for pH-triggered delivery of bioactive compounds with excellent potential for scale-up and applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Effect of Curcuma Extract and Surfactant Concentration on o/w Curcuma Extract Nanoemulsion Characteristics

Curcuma extract contains curcumin, which is known to have antiinflammation, anti-tumor and anti-microbial properties. Curcumin has relatively a low bioavailability and bioactivity since it is poorly water-soluble and easily degraded during digestion. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of curcuma extract and surfactant concentration on the nanoemulsion characteristics of curcuma extract dispersed in red palm oil. Experiment was conducted using Response Surface method, by examining two factors: temulawak extract concentration (the lower limit: 2%, the upper limit: 5%), and surfactant (Tween 20 and Tween 80) concentration (the lower limit: 1%, upper: 2%). Nanoemulsion was produced using a high pressure homogenizer (1500psi, 7 cycles). Results showed that nanoemulsion with 5.94 % curcuma extract, 1.5 % tween 80, and 1.5% tween 20 had the best nanoemulsion stability (99 %), with droplet size of 74.7 nm and Polydispersity index (PDI) value 0.272. Both nanoemulsion stability and droplet size were significantly influenced by curcuma extract concentration. The results will be useful for designing effective nanoemulsion delivery systems for curcuma extract and other lipophilic bioactives for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications.

Lipid Extracts Obtained by Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Their Application in Meat Products

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has been recognized as the green and clean technique without any negative impact on the environment. Although this technique has shown high selectivity towards lipophilic bioactive compounds, very few case studies on the application of these extracts in final products and different food matrices were observed. Considering the recent developments in food science and the increasing application of supercritical extracts in meat products in the last decade (2012–2022), the aim of this manuscript was to provide a systematic review of the lipid extracts and bioactives successfully obtained by supercritical fluid extraction and their application in meat products as antioxidant and/or antimicrobial agents. Lipophilic bioactives from natural resources were explained in the first step, which was followed by the fundamentals of supercritical fluid extraction and application on recovery of these bioactives. Finally, the application of natural extracts and bioactives obtained by this technique as functional additives in meat and meat products were thoroughly discussed in order to review the state-of-the-art techniques and set the challenges for further studies.

Venturi-based rapid expansion of supercritical solution (Vent-RESS): synthesis of liposomes for pH-triggered delivery of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactives.

Multivitamin-loaded and surface-modified liposomes tailored for simultaneous intestinal delivery of both lipophilic and hydrophilic bioactives were synthesized from sunflower phosphatidylcholine (SFPC). Liposomes (SL) were generated with the aid of a novel, organic solvent free, and environmentally benign process which utilizes venturi-based rapid expansion of supercritical solution (Vent-RESS). Vitamins E and C were used as model lipophilic and hydrophilic bioactives and demonstrated an average encapsulation efficiency of 92 and 70 %, respectively. Synthesized liposomes were coated with a pH-responsive double-wall of chitosan and β-lactoglobulin (βlg-Cs-SL) to develop a biocompatible vehicle for pH-triggered delivery of bioactive cargo(s). To compare the efficacy of this newly developed dual-coating, SL was also coated with a commercially available pH responsive polymer, Eudragit® S100 (Eu-SL). No organic solvent was used during the surface coating of SLs with these two different types of enteric coatings. The performance of these two coatings was studied by conducting morphological characterization through diameter and ζ-potential measurements along with confocal laser scanning and freeze-fracture cryogenic scanning electron microscopies. The stability of coated and uncoated SFPC liposomes was determined in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. For βlg-Cs-SL and Eu-SL, after 2 h of incubation in simulated gastric condition, less than 5 % of the encapsulated vitamins C and E were released, whereas for SL, 41 and 28 % of vitamins C and E were released within 2 h of incubation period. In simulated intestinal fluid, coated liposomes released most of their remaining payload when incubated for 4 h. The newly developed dual coating was found to be as effective as its commercially available counterpart, Eudragit® S100 coating; nevertheless, the biocompatible, non-toxic, and non-synthetic nature of this coating makes it an attractive alternative. Modeling the release kinetics of vitamins from coated liposome showed that the release of payload from surface coated liposomes proceeded through a multistep structural disintegration involving both Fickian and non-Fickian types of diffusion. The ability of these surface-coated liposomes to maintain structural integrity under the gastric condition followed by site-specific, pH-triggered release of encapsulated cargo in the intestine will make them highly suitable for oral administration of bioactive compounds in pharmaceutical and food applications.

Monoglyceride oleogels for lipophilic bioactive delivery – Influence of self-assembled structures on stability and in vitro bioaccessibility of astaxanthin

The present study investigated the influence of self-assembled structures on stability and in vitro bioaccessibility of astaxanthin by modifying the structures with different processing conditions. The self-assembled structures of GMS oleogels were changed to produce smaller crystals and more compact network at higher glycerol monostearate (GMS) concentration and lower cooling temperature, resulting in higher hardness, oil binding capacity, and viscoelastic properties of oleogels. In the stability test, the highest retention ratio of astaxanthin was observed in oleogels formed at 4 °C and 10% GMS, indicating that the denser network structures were more effective to prevent the degradation of astaxanthin. During in vitro digestion, the self-assembled structures of oleogels and the nature of GMS molecules affected the lipolysis and micellization, which in turn regulated the bioaccessibility of astaxanthin. Collectively, GMS oleogels were effective delivery materials for improving the stability and bioaccessibility of lipophilic bioactives.