Characterization and Shelf Life of beta-Carotene Loaded Solid Lipid Microparticles Produced With Stearic Acid and Sunflower Oil

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

de Lara Gomes, GVD (Author) Other; Borrin, TR (Author) Other; Cardoso, LP (Author) Other; Souto, E (Author) Other; de Pinho, SC (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology

Vol. 56

Pages: 663-671

ISSN: 1516-8913

Publisher: Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Scopus - 22 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-EZD

DOI: 10.1590/s1516-89132013000400017

Abstract (EN): Solid lipid microparticles were tested as microencapsulation systems for protecting beta-carotene from degradation. Blends of long-chain (C18) solid lipids (70% stearic acid) and sunflower oil (30%) were used to produce lipid microparticles encapsulating the carotenoid. Polysorbate 80 (4%) was employed to stabilize the stearic acid microparticles. The concentration of beta-carotene was monitored using spectrophotometry, the particle size distribution was measured by laser diffraction, the crystal structure was determined by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and the thermal behaviour was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) over a period of seven months. All of the systems had an average particle size smaller than 5 mu m. To avoid beta-carotene oxidation, alpha-tocopherol was added to the formulations and its action as an oxygen trap was crucial for the antioxidant effect. For stearic-acid microparticles with alpha-tocopherol, more than 90% of the initial amount of beta-carotene was preserved after seven months under refrigerated storage (7-10 degrees C) in the dark. Significant microstructural alterations were detected using WAXD and DSC only in the stearic acid microparticles without alpha-tocopherol. These results seemed promising and suggested that the blends of long-chain solid lipids and liquid lipids were suitable for the production of stable solid lipid microparticles.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9