Stability Of Lycopene Research Articles

Optimization of lycopene spray drying encapsulation in basil seed gum: Boosting bioavailability and mayonnaise stability

This study aimed to improve lycopene stability and bioavailability in food products. Lycopene, a potent antioxidant, often has poor stability and undesirable organoleptic properties. Therefore, the impact of basil seed gum (BSG) concentration and spray drying inlet temperature (IT) on the physicochemical, bioaccessibility, and antioxidant properties of encapsulated lycopene emulsion (ENL) was investigated using Central Composite Design (CCD)-Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Optimal encapsulation conditions were IT = 141.96 °C and BSG = 19.507 %. The ENLs had an average particle size of 147.56 nm, a polydispersity index (PI) of 0.263, and a zeta potential of −21.37 mV, indicating good colloidal stability. Antioxidant activity varied slightly during the four weeks of storage (a 9.65 % increase followed by a 13.6 % decrease), but it remained stable overall. Incorporating ENL into mayonnaise significantly reduced the acid value (2.78 mg KOH/g), the anisidine index (12.43), the peroxide value (7.13 meq/kg), and the TBARS index (0.534), and improved color parameters, reducing brightness (79.94) and whiteness (70.64) while masking lycopene's strong yellow and red hues. This study highlights BSG-encapsulated lycopene's potential to improve oxidative stability and sensory properties, offering a natural and effective method to enhance lycopene stability, bioavailability, and sensory acceptance in various food applications.

Characterization and stability of lycopene-loaded high internal phase emulsion stabilized by ovalbumin-chitosan complexes

Lycopene, a carotenoid with numerous physiological benefits, particularly in its Z-isomer form, faces challenges in its application due to low chemical stability. To address this limitation, high internal phase emulsion was successfully synthesized using ovalbumin-chitosan complexes. The aim was to enhance the stability of lycopene including Z-lycopene. The solubility, particle size, ζ-potential and uniformity of the mixture were dependent on pH value and biopolymer proportion. Notably, optimal ovalbumin-chitosan complex formation occurred at pH 2.5 with a ratio of 4:1 resulting in the highest solubility and optimal uniformity which contributed to its superior emulsification properties. Evaluation of encapsulating efficiency and loading amount revealed 98.19% and 1.7661 mg/g respectively for lycopene in ovalbumin-chitosan stabilized emulsions, inhibiting the transformation from Z-lycopene to (all-E)-lycopene. The encapsulated lycopene possessed UV stability where retention rate remained high at 81.86%. The retention rate was up to 65.37% and 41.82% at 45 °C and 80 °C, respectively.

Assessment of Lycopene Levels in Dried Watermelon Pomace: A Sustainable Approach to Waste Reduction and Nutrient Valorization

Watermelon suffers substantial post-harvest losses owing to strict quality standards, resulting in 20–30% of the crop being left unharvested. This study investigated the potential of valorizing dried watermelon pomace (DWP), a byproduct of watermelon juice extraction, focusing on its lycopene content—a potent antioxidant. This study assessed lycopene stability in DWP from four watermelon cultivars (Perla Nera®, Gavina®, Crimson Sweet, and Asahi Miyako) under different storage conditions (vial-sealed and vacuum-sealed). The lycopene content in freshly prepared DWP samples ranged from 0.734 to 1.572 mg/g db. The results indicated that vacuum-sealed samples exhibited significantly slower lycopene degradation than vial-sealed samples, highlighting the impact of air exposure on lycopene stability. After 90 days of storage, lycopene content in vacuum-sealed samples ranged from 0.214 to 1.234 mg/g db, while that in vial-sealed samples ranged from 0.013 to 0.731 mg/g db. Furthermore, this study assessed the effect of pretreatments with ascorbic acid (pretreatment A) and a mixture of ascorbic and citric acids (pretreatment B) on lycopene stability. Pretreatment B showed superior effectiveness, yielding higher lycopene levels than pretreatment A (p < 0.05). The stabilizing effects of ascorbic acid and citric acid were attributed to their antioxidant properties and their roles as pH regulators and chelators.

Enhancing the stability and bio-accessibility of carotenoids extracted from canistel (Lucuma nervosa) via liposomes encapsulation

Canistel (Lucuma nervosa) is a valuable natural source of carotenoids, but their use in the food industry is hampered by low extraction efficiency, poor stability, and limited bio-accessibility. HPLC results showed that a deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of D-menthol and canoic acid (Men-CaA) has significantly higher extraction yields for lycopene (498.66 ± 3.20 μg/mL DW) and β-carotene (6.43 ± 0.23 μg/mL DW) than corn oil. UV-VIS spectrophotometry combined with response surface methodology results confirmed that the best encapsulation efficiency of liposome for lycopene and β-carotene was attained in the temperature range of 30–70 °C, with the ratio of carotenoid extract to liposome of 1:25 (w/w), the ratio of phospholipids to cholesterol, and the ratio of aqueous phase to lipid phase of 2:1 (v/v). SEM analysis revealed that liposome-encapsulated carotenoid extract formed spherical structures with a uniform texture and rough surface. The ζ-potential assay confirmed the highest stability of liposomes at pH 7. FTIR spectroscopy indicated effective encapsulation of canistel-derived carotenoids by liposomes. Furthermore, liposomes encapsulation improved the thermal and storage stability and bio-accessibility of lycopene and β-carotene. Encapsulating canistel carotenoids in liposomes significantly enhances their stability and bio-accessibility, presenting a viable strategy for preserving the efficacy of food-based active ingredients.

Novel diacylglycerol oil-based nanostructured lipid carriers improves the stability and digestibility of lycopene

Diacylglycerol (DAG) has garnered attention for its safe and nutritious qualities, and its utilization in emulsion systems to encapsulate hydrophobic bioactives is anticipated to enhance their bioaccessibility. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of DAG oil as a carrier on the stability and digestive characteristics of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) containing lycopene (LYC). The results indicated that DAG oil demonstrated superior storage and heating stability in comparison to triacylglycerol (TAG) oil. Furthermore, NLCs formulated with DAG oil exhibited a faster rate of lipolysis (>76.3%) and higher loading capacity (1.48%), resulting in an approximate 11% enhancement in the bioaccessibility of LYC (reaching up to 31.4%). DAG oils show considerable potential for enhancing and prolonging the properties and bioactivity of NLC carriers, thereby boosting bioaccessibility. The incorporation of DAG oil in food systems holds promise for enriching their functionality over traditional TAG oil.

Walnut protein isolate-epigallocatechin gallate nanoparticles: A functional carrier enhanced stability and antioxidant activity of lycopene

Walnut isolate protein (WPI)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) conjugates can be employed to creat food-grade delivery systems for preserving bioactive compounds. In this study, WPI-EGCG nanoparticles (WENPs) were developed for encapsulating lycopene (LYC) using the ultrasound-assisted method. The results indicated successful loading of LYC into these WENPs, forming the WENPs/LYC (cylinder with 200–300 nm in length and 14.81–30.05 nm in diameter). Encapsulating LYC in WENPs led to a notable decrease in release rate and improved stability in terms of thermal, ultraviolet (UV), and storage conditions compared to free LYC. Simultaneously, WENPs/LYC exhibited a synergistic and significantly higher antioxidant activity with an EC50 value of 23.98 μg/mL in HepG2 cells compared to free LYC’s 31.54 μg/mL. Treatment with WENPs/LYC led to a dose-dependent restoration of intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) and inhibition of intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis indicated that enrichment in glutathione metabolism and peroxisome processes following WENPs/LYC addition. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) verified the expression levels of related genes involved in the antioxidant resistance pathway of WENPs/LYC on AAPH-induced oxidative stress. This study offers novel perspectives into the antioxidant resistance pathway of WENPs/LYC, holding significant potential in food industry.

Conjugation prepared by wet-Maillard reactions improves the stability and properties of lutein and lycopene loaded nanoparticles

In this study, lutein and lycopene were encapsulated in plant protein (faba bean protein concentrate, (FPC))-carrageenan (Car) conjugates prepared by Maillard reaction in an aqueous media. The conjugation improved encapsulation yield that reached to 82.69% and 93.07%, for lycopene and lutein, respectively. The mean particle diameters for lutein loaded nanoparticles observed smaller in FPC-Car conjugates (66.60 nm) than FPC (71.49 nm). Scanning electron microscopy images showed that FPC-Car conjugates were more spherical and no fractures or fissures on the surface, revealing that wall materials provided better protection and retention for core materials. The diameter of lycopene nanoparticles coated with FPC remained constant between pH 3–4 and 7–9 but increased to 220 nm at pH 4–6. Even though the diameter of lutein nanoparticles coated with FPC remains steady between pH 5 and 9, increased to 953 nm at pH 3. The bioaccessibility of the lutein or lycopene samples encapsulated by FPC were found as higher than FPC-Car conjugates. These findings suggest that protein-polysaccharide conjugates could be used as a wall material to encapsulate lipophilic lutein and lycopene in order to improve their stability, property and bioaccessibility. As a result, FPC-Car conjugates may be an alternative for the formation of functional beverages as well as other nutraceutical products.Graphical abstract

New Horizons of Covalent Complex of Plant-Derived Recombinant Human Lactoferrin (OsrhLF) Combined with Different Polyphenols: Formation, Physicochemical Properties, and Gastrointestinal Fate.

Four typical dietary polyphenols ((-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), quinic acid (QA), caffeic acid (CA), and ferulic acid (FA)) were covalently prepared with rice recombinant human lactoferrin (OsrhLF) and bovine lactoferrin (bLF), and their structure and physicochemical properties were investigated, different lycopene emulsions were made by ultrasonic emulsification to analyze gastrointestinal fate. The results indicated that the covalent modification polyphenols changed the secondary/tertiary structure of LF, significantly improving the surface hydrophilicity, thermal stability, and antioxidant activity of LF. Compared with the bLF group, the OsrhLF group was more hydrophilic and the thermal denaturation temperature of the OsrhLF-CA reached 104.4 °C. LF-polyphenol emulsions significantly enhanced the photochemical stability and bioavailability of lycopene and achieved effective encapsulation and protection of lycopene compared to free lycopene, and the OsrhLF-EGCG reached 58.94% lycopene bioavailability. In short, OsrhLF does not differ much from bLF in terms of physicochemical properties and has a strong potential in the field of dietary supplements.

Composite with natural ingredients and layered double hydroxide nanoparticles as antioxidant and sunscreen powder material

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are versatile matrices for designing advanced materials. The need to explore green or sustainable methodologies is scarcely reported. In this project, we evaluated the antioxidant properties and sun protection factor (SPF) of LDH composites with natural components from tomato. The results indicated that the 11 % of organic matter content in the composites is sufficient to increase their antioxidant properties, such as higher antioxidant activity towards ABTS·+ than towards DPPH·. The composite also improves degradation in oxygen atmosphere detected in the Rapidoxy assay, while the SPF indicated that the LDH particles play a crucial role as sunscreen rather than the organic content. This study found that the composite formed by lycopene and LDH particles enhances the hydro-dispersibility and improved the antioxidant stability of lycopene which are key properties to develop cosmetics or food ingredients.

Influence of Soy Lecithin and Sodium Caseinate on The Stability and in vitro Bioaccessibility of Lycopene Nanodispersion.

Various approaches have been used to present functional lipids including lycopene in a palatable food form to consumers. However, being highly hydrophobic, lycopene is insoluble in aqueous systems and has a limited bioavailability in the body. Lycopene nanodispersion is expected to improve the properties of lycopene, but its stability and bioaccessibility are also affected by emulsifier type and environmental conditions such as pH, ionic strength and temperature. The influence of soy lecithin, sodium caseinate and soy lecithin/sodium caseinate at 1:1 ratio on the physicochemical properties and stability of lycopene nanodispersion prepared using the emulsification-evaporation methods before and after treatment at different pH, ionic strength and temperature were investigated. The in vitro bioaccessibility of the nanodispersions was also studied. Under neutral pH conditions, nanodispersion stabilized with soy lecithin had the highest physical stability and the smallest particle size (78 nm), the lowest polydispersity index (PDI) value (0.180) and highest zeta potential (-64 mV) but the lowest lycopene concentration (1.826 mg/100 mL). Conversely, nanodispersion stabilized with sodium caseinate had the lowest physical stability. Combining the soy lecithin with sodium caseinate at 1:1 ratio resulted in a physically stable lycopene nanodispersion with the highest lycopene concentration (2.656 mg/100 mL). The lycopene nanodispersion produced by soy lecithin also had high physical stability under different pH range (pH=2-8) where the particle size, PDI and zeta potential remained fairly consistent. The nanodispersion containing sodium caseinate was unstable and droplet aggregation occurred when the pH was reduced close to the isoelectric point of sodium caseinate (pH=4-5). The particle size and PDI value of nanodispersion stabilized with soy lecithin and sodium caseinate mixture increased sharply when the NaCl concentration increased above 100 mM, while the soy lecithin and sodium caseinate counterparts were more stable. All of the nanodispersions showed good stability with respect to temperature changes (30-100 °C) except for the one stabilized by sodium caseinate, which exhibited an increased particle size when heated to above 60 °C. The combination of soy lecithin and sodium caseinate was found to increase the bioaccessibility of the lycopene nanodispersion. The physicochemical properties, stability and extent of the lycopene nanodispersion digestion highly depend on the emulsifier type. Producing a nanodispersion is considered one of the best ways to overcome the poor water solubility, stability and bioavailability issues of lycopene. Currently, studies related to lycopene-fortified delivery systems, particularly in the form of nanodispersion, are still limited. The information obtained on the physicochemical properties, stability and bioaccessibility of lycopene nanodispersion is useful for the development of an effective delivery system for various functional lipids.

Protective effect of pangasius myosin on thermal stability of lycopene and their interaction mechanism

In this study, the influence of extracted pangasius myosin on the thermal stability of lycopene and the mechanism of their interaction were examined. The addition of pangasius myosin positively affected the thermal stability of lycopene. After adding myosin, under heating conditions, the L* value of lycopene increased by 6.2–10.04%, a* value increased by 20–27%, and ΔE decreased by 42–51%. Lycopene inhibited the fluorescence of ovalbumin by static burst. Binding and thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that lycopene bound spontaneously to myosin through hydrophobic interaction with a complex stoichiometry ratio of 1:1. Circular dichroism and Fourier infrared transform spectroscopy were used to examine the secondary structure changes that occurred in myosin after it bound to lycopene. Particle size and electron microscopy analysis showed that the addition of low concentrations of lycopene resulted in smaller particle size and improve dispersion stability; however, high concentrations of lycopene promoted myosin aggregation. This study provides a theoretical foundation for improving the thermal stability of lycopene in minced fish products.

The effect of polymer stabilizers on the stability of lycopene encapsulated emulsions

The Ceylon Journal of Science is a peer-reviewed journal published quarterly by the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in March, June, September and December. It is aimed at publishing high quality research articles on topics related to different disciplines in Science. The journal accepts original research articles, book reviews, reviews and mini-reviews, short communications, opinions, research notes, and commentaries and notes. The Journal has its own website https://site.pdn.ac.lk/cjs/. The journal strictly adheres to publication ethics as emphasized by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). It is indexed in Sri Lanka Journals Online (SLJOL), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Google Scholar and Zoological Records. According to the Google Scholar;H5-Index: 12H5-Median: 15According to the Exaly (1970 – 2021);Impact Factor: 0.6 (top 19%)Extended IF: 0.6 (top 19%)H-Index: 8 (top 28%)Citations/paper: 1.42

In vivo and in vitro evaluation of stability and antioxidant activity of lycopene-nanostructured lipid carriers.

This study evaluates the stability of lycopene in the presence of the prepared nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) under different environments and food systems and the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of the lycopene nanostructured lipid carriers (Lyco-NLCs) was studied. As observed in the stability experiment, Lyco-NLCs have good storage stability within 30days. Food additives have little effect on its stability except for metal ions. Compared with free lycopene, Lyco-NLCs showed an improved antioxidant property. In in-vitro experiments, the DPPH radical scavenging rate, hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, and ferric reducing capacity of Lyco-NLCs increased by 90.47%, 47.43%, and 45.12%, respectively. The animal experiments showed that the activities of catalase in the kidney, superoxide dismutase in the heart, and glutathione peroxidase in the liver increased by 31.48%, 42.50%, and 21.47%, respectively. The content of malondialdehyde in serum decreased by 14.13%. The results have some significance for the practical application of lycopene.

Development of a novel functional yogurt rich in lycopene by Bacillus subtilis

Functional lycopene-rich yogurt displays attractive nutritious and health-promoting benefits among existing functional dairy products, owing to supplement with lycopene which could enhance immunity, prevent cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Due to poor stability and fat-solubility of lycopene, its incorporation into yogurt is challengeable. In this study, carotenoid genes for lycopene synthesis were co-introduced into probiotic Bacillus subtilis for efficient lycopene production. Further engineered B. subtilis was applied as adjunct starter culture for achieving lycopene-rich yogurt. Developed yogurt exhibited desirable physiochemical characteristics compared with plain yogurt. Moreover, lycopene-rich yogurt was endowed with significantly high antioxidant capacity. More importantly, this functionalized yogurt had attractive sensorial attributes for quality-assured food to facilitate consumer acceptance. As the first report of fortifying yogurt of lycopene using B. subtilis with improved functional properties, this study offers a new and facile clue to enrich bioactive lycopene and probiotic B. subtilis in yogurt for healthy and nutritional food development.

Lycopene: Sojourn from kitchen to an effective therapy in Alzheimer's disease.

Reports on a significant positive correlation between consumption of carotenoid-rich food and prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD) led to the investigation of carotenoids for the treatment and prevention of AD. More than 1100 types of carotenoids are found naturally, out of which only around 50 are absorbed and metabolized in human body. Lycopene is one of the most commonly ingested members of fat-soluble carotenoid family that gives vegetables and fruits their red, yellow, or orange color. Lycopene has established itself as a promising therapy for AD owing to its neuroprotective activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiamyloidogenic properties. In this review, we highlight the various in vitro and preclinical studies demonstrating the neuroprotective effect of lycopene. Also, some epidemiological and interventional studies investigating the protective effect of lycopene in AD have been discussed. Diving deeper, we also discuss various significant mechanisms, through which lycopene exerts its remissive effects in AD. Finally, to overcome the issue of poor chemical stability and bioavailability of lycopene, some of the novel delivery systems developed for lycopene have also been briefly highlighted.

Loadings of lycopene in emulsion and sodium alginate-K-carrageenan composite systems: Preparation, characterization, bioaccessibility, and kinetics.

This research aims to prepare capsules emulsion using gallic acid (GA), dextran (DEX), bovine serum albumin (BSA), sodium alginate, and K-carrageenan (K-Car) as the biological delivery system of lycopene. The stability and bioaccessibility of lycopene were further improved through encapsulation of covalent complex of sodium alginate and K-Car. The molecular weight distribution and secondary structure of the conjugates were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The storage stability of the emulsion stabilized by conjugates was measured with Turbiscan stability index (TSI) and fluctuation of the particle size. The TSI value of ternary conjugates was 18.7 (37℃) with particle sizes ranging from 208 to 319nm. Then, the changes of three-dimensional reticulate structures and physical properties of sodium alginate-K were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and TPA. The thermal stability of the sodium alginate-K-Car composite systems was increased compared with sodium alginate. The bioaccessibility of lycopene was significantly improved under the dual embedding of BSA-DEX-GA conjugate emulsion and sodium alginate-K-Car composite systems.

Fabrication, characterization, and application of Pickering emulsion stabilized by tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) waste microcrystalline cellulose

A massive amount of tea waste was generated in tea processing. In order to fully utilize tea waste, tea waste microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was used as stabilizer without any other treatment to fabricate Pickering emulsion. Emulsion was produced by high pressure homogenization and characterized in terms of physicochemical parameters, morphologies and stabilities. High MCC concentration, high pH, low oil-water ratio and low ionic strength were benefited for emulsion stability. Pickering emulsions stabilized by MCC were stable for 42 days with the MCC concentration of 1.00% and 2.00%, oil-water ratio of 1:9, pH of 7.0 and ionic strength of 0 mM. Encapsulation in Pickering emulsion stabilized by MCC enhanced the stability of lycopene against photodegradation and thermal degradation, and high concentration of MCC promoted protection. Lycopene loaded in Pickering emulsion showed high stability and bioaccessibility during simulated digestion in vitro. Tea waste MCC could be used to prepare low fat and low salt Pickering emulsions, and provided perspective on high value-added utilization of tea waste.

Efficient E/Z conversion of (all-E)-lycopene to Z-isomers with a high proportion of (5Z)-lycopene by metal salts

In this paper, the effects of eleven metal salts on the isomerization and stability of lycopene were screened. The results showed that AlCl3, Al2(SO4)3, FeCl3, Fe2(SO4)3, and CuSO4 had significant catalytic effects (p < 0.05) on lycopene isomerization. The total content of lycopene Z-isomers were in the order of FeCl3 (70.8%) > Fe2(SO4)3 (54.0%) > AlCl3 (50.2%) > CuSO4 (40.0%) > Al2(SO4)3 (29.3%) after reacting with 10 mmol/L metal salts at 40 °C for 60 min. When the concentration was greater than 10 mmol/L, lycopene was seriously degraded by FeCl3 and Fe2(SO4)3, but the retention rate of lycopene remained above 70% by AlCl3. Then, the effects of these five metal salts on lycopene isomerization and degradation were analyzed by kinetic tools. All five metal salts reduced the activation energy of lycopene isomerization and degradation reaction. The activation energy of lycopene degradation catalyzed by AlCl3 was 23.9 kJ/mol, higher than that of induced by FeCl3 and Fe2(SO4)3. The estimated equilibrium values of total-Z-lycopene and most stable isomer (5Z)-lycopene reached up 81.1% and 33.0% in the presence of AlCl3. Therefore, AlCl3 is an ideal lycopene catalyst based on the comprehensive retention rate, catalytic efficiency, and high production of (5Z)-lycopene.

Tailoring the properties of double-crosslinked emulsion gels using structural design principles: Physical characteristics, stability, and delivery of lycopene

Lycopene is claimed to have numerous physiological benefits, but its poor water solubility, chemical instability, and low bioavailability limit its application in functional foods and health care products. In this study, lycopene-loaded emulsions containing oil droplets with different interfacial structures were prepared and then cross-linked using transglutaminase (TG) and/or calcium ions (Ca2+) to form emulsion gels. The oil droplets were first coated by interfacial layers comprised of whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium alginate (SA). During emulsion preparation, the SA was added either before or after homogenization to create complex or layer-by-layer coatings, respectively. Subsequently, TG and Ca2+ were used to cross-link WPI and SA to form emulsion gels. The results show that double-crosslinking increased the gel strength and viscosity of the emulsion gels. The layer-by-layer emulsion gels were stronger and more viscous than the complex ones. The photochemical and gastrointestinal stability of lycopene encapsulated within the emulsion gels was higher than that of free lycopene. An MTT toxicity test showed that the emulsion gels exhibited no cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells. The lycopene-loaded emulsion gels exhibited stronger anti-inflammatory activity on the Caco-2 cells than the control. In addition, the absorption of lycopene by the Caco-2 cells increased after encapsulation. This study provides a new approach of preparing edible soft materials to enhance the application of hydrophobic bioactives (like lycopene) in functional foods.

Promising self-emulsifying drug delivery system loaded with lycopene from red guava (Psidium guajava L.): in vivo toxicity, biodistribution and cytotoxicity on DU-145 prostate cancer cells

BackgroundSelf-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) have attracted attention because of their effects on solubility and bioavailability of lipophilic compounds. Herein, a SEDDS loaded with lycopene purified from red guava (nanoLPG) was produced. The nanoemulsion was characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), lycopene content quantification, radical scavenging activity and colloidal stability in cell culture medium. Then, in vivo toxicity and tissue distribution in orally treated mice and cytotoxicity on human prostate carcinoma cells (DU-145) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated.ResultsNanoLPG exhibited physicochemical properties with a size around 200 nm, negative zeta-potential, and spherical morphology. The size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential parameters suffered insignificant alterations during the 12 month storage at 5 °C, which were associated with lycopene stability at 5 °C for 10 months. The nanoemulsion showed partial aggregation in cell culture medium at 37 °C after 24 h. NanoLPG at 0.10 mg/mL exhibited radical scavenging activity equivalent to 0.043 ± 0.002 mg Trolox/mL. The in vivo studies did not reveal any significant changes in clinical, behavioral, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters in mice orally treated with nanoLPG at 10 mg/kg for 28 days. In addition, nanoLPG successfully delivered lycopene to the liver, kidney and prostate in mice, improved its cytotoxicity against DU-145 prostate cancer cells—probably by pathway independent on classical necrosis and apoptosis—and did not affect PBMC viability.ConclusionsThus, nanoLPG stands as a promising and biosafe lycopene delivery system for further development of nanotechnology-based health products.Graphical