Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026

In Vitro Reconstitution of Light-harvesting Complexes of Plants and Green Algae
Published on: October 10, 2014
Supramolecular Carotenoid Complexes of Enhanced Solubility and Stability-The Way of Bioavailability Improvement
A Ligia Focsan1, Nikolay E Polyakov2,3, Lowell D Kispert4
1Department of Chemistry, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA 31698, USA. alfocsan@valdosta.edu.
Abstract:
Carotenoids are natural dyes and antioxidants widely used in food processing and in therapeutic formulations. However, their practical application is restricted by their high sensitivity to external factors such as heat, light, oxygen, metal ions and processing conditions, as well as by extremely low water solubility. Various approaches have been developed to overcome these problems. In particular, it was demonstrated that application of supramolecular complexes of "host-guest" type with water-soluble nanoparticles allows minimizing the abovementioned disadvantages. From this point of view, nanoencapsulation of carotenoids is an effective strategy to improve their stability during storage and food processing. Also, nanoencapsulation enhances bioavailability of carotenoids via modulating their release kinetics from the delivery system, influencing the solubility and absorption. In the present paper, we present the state of the art of carotenoid nanoencapsulation and summarize the data obtained during last five years on preparation, analysis and reactivity of carotenoids encapsulated into various nanoparticles. The possible mechanisms of carotenoids bioavailability enhancement by multifunctional delivery systems are also discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
Bioavailability Enhancement: Determination and Conceptual Approaches in Overcoming Bioavailability Problems
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Physicochemical Parameters
Enhanced drug absorption can be achieved by reducing particle sizes and increasing surface areas, thereby facilitating...

