Polymeric nanocarriers improve stability, solubility, and functionality of entrapped nutraceuticals. The hypothesis of this study is entrapping lutein, a hydrophobic antioxidant, in different polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) will improve its stability and antioxidant activity. The following objectives are proposed: 1. Synthesize and characterize polymeric nanoparticles of poly lactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and PLGA NPs covered with a layer of chitosan (PLGA/Chi) from a physicochemical perspective, and 2. Assess functionality of the entrapped lutein as a function of type of polymer in which entrapped. Nanoparticles were synthesized by emulsion evaporation method. Characterization included size, zeta potential, and morphology measurement, followed by testing physical and chemical stability, and antioxidant activity of entrapped lutein. PLGA NPs loaded with lutein were in the size range of 119.2 nm � 0.98 nm with a PDI of 0.17� .02  and a zeta potential of � 29 mV � 1.1 mV in nanopure water. PLGA/Chi NPs loaded with lutein were in the size range of 145.9 � .3 nm with a PDI of 0.25 � .009 and a zeta potential of 21.2 mV � 2.3 mV in nanopure water. PLGA NPs loaded with lutein were stable in the gastric environment for four hours as indicated by a constant size over time; in the intestinal environment particles were stable for 24 hours. PLGA and PLGA/Chi NPs protected the chemical stability of lutein in water for 72 hours.  Lutein entrapped in PLGA and PLGA/ Chi NPs inhibited cholesterol oxidation to 7-ketocholesterol up to 86% after 24 hours and 65% after 72 hours while unentrapped lutein inhibited cholesterol oxidation by only 45% after 24 hours and 19% after 72 hours. These results support the hypothesis that PLGA NPs are enhancing stability and antioxidant activity of entrapped lutein and may find beneficial applications in biomedical and food science fields for delivery of lutein.

Poly (DL-lactide Co-glycolide) acid and PLGA/chitosan nanoparticles with entrapped lutein: Stability and antioxidant activity

247th National Meeting (2014)

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