Nano-lipid carriers stabilized by hydrophobically modified starch or sucrose stearate for the delivery of lutein as a nutraceutical beverage model

In this study, nanoemulsions were formulated as nano-lipid carriers (NLCs) for lutein, a bioactive compound. Two different beverage grade emulsifiers, i.e. octenyl modified starch (OMS) and sucrose monostearate (SMS), were compared to evaluate their effect on different physicochemical characteristics of the fabricated nanocarriers. The results suggested that pre-heating of SMS had no significant effect on the droplet size and physical stability of the NLCs, including their creaming rate and rheological behavior. On the other hand, the nanoemulsions containing 5% SMS showed a shear thinning behavior. Although, SMS was able to create smaller lutein-loaded NLCs as compared to OMS, the accelerated stability analysis revealed that OMS stabilized carriers had considerably (p < 0.05) smaller creaming velocities. Nevertheless, the nano-lipid carriers emulsified by SMS exhibited a higher sensitivity to applied stress conditions, which was in agreement with their surface charge properties, where screening of the surface negative charges was observed. These designed systems can be applicable in different products particularly as a nanocarrier for hydrophobic bioactive compounds in nutraceutical beverages.