Lycopene-Loaded Emulsions: Chitosan Versus Non-Ionic Surfactants as Stabilizers

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Lycopene, a potent antioxidant carotenoid, offers health benefits including anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects.
• Its poor solubility and sensitivity necessitate advanced delivery systems for effective incorporation into food and cosmetic products.
• Current delivery methods often rely on synthetic ingredients with potential health and environmental concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop stable lycopene-loaded emulsions using sustainable stabilizers.
• To evaluate chitosan as a biodegradable alternative to non-ionic surfactants for lycopene encapsulation.
• To assess the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of lycopene in developed emulsions.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions using soybean oil as the oil phase.
• Stabilization of emulsions using non-ionic surfactants (Tween 80/Span 80 mixtures) and chitosans of varying molecular weights.
• Characterization of emulsion stability, lycopene encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity.

Main Results:

• Stable O/W emulsions were successfully prepared using soybean oil.
• Lycopene encapsulation efficiencies of 70-75% and loading capacities of 0.14 mg/g were achieved.
• Chitosan demonstrated comparable stability and encapsulation performance to traditional non-ionic surfactants.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan is a viable, sustainable stabilizer for lycopene encapsulation, offering a biodegradable and biocompatible alternative.
• This approach can reduce reliance on synthetic ingredients, minimizing environmental impact and human exposure to potentially toxic materials.
• Enhanced lycopene delivery through chitosan-stabilized emulsions may contribute to mitigating risks of chronic diseases, including various cancers.