Nanostructured lipid carriers as a favorable delivery system for β-carotene

Encapsulation using nano lipid carriers (NLC) is an effective way of protecting sensitive nutraceutical compounds from adverse environmental condition during production and storage. The objectives of the present study were to prepare 5-carotene-loaded NLC using hot-high shear homogenization (Hot-HSH) and investigate their particle size, % encapsulation efficiency (%EE), stability and rheology. Poloxamer 407 was used as the surfactant and octyl octanoate and Precirol ATO5 were used as liquid oil and solid lipid, respectively. The optimum formulation was determined using the results of particle size obtained using different surfactant concentration (1%, 2%, 3% and 4% w/v) and solid lipid: liquid oil ratios (2:1, 4:1 and 10:1). Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) were used to detect any possible bioactive-lipid complex formation and the results showed that there were no chemical interactions between beta-carotene and NLC components and beta-carotene loaded NLC was simply a physical mixture. The smallest particle size was observed in the formulation containing 2% Poloxamer 407 and solid lipid/liquid oil ratio of 10:1. The %EE of optimal sample was 97.7% (p < 0.05) and remained stable for 14 days at 25 degrees C. Results showed that production of beta-carotene-loaded NLC gave nanoscale particles which were stable over time and the established NLC could offer a system for new functional foods based on nanocarriers.