Tri-layer nanostructured lycopene delivery system based on chitosan nanospheres and gelatin nanofibers

Novel nanocarriers for lycopene delivery have attracted attention due to their enhanced protection and bioaccessibility. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop a lycopene-loaded nanostructured tri-layer for delayed lycopene release during digestion. The physicochemical properties of gelatin nanofibers and nanostructured chitosan thin films, as well as their interactions in lycopene-loaded electrospun nanofibers and lycopene-loaded nanostructured tri-layer, were investigated. The lycopene-loaded nanostructured tri-layer exhibited stronger interactions among the functional groups of chitosan, gelatin and lycopene, resulting in improved structural stability and increased bioaccessibility (28.5 %). Furthermore, Fickian diffusion was identified as the controlling mechanism for lycopene release during in vitro gastric fluid simulation, with a diffusion coefficient of 3.53 ± 0.01 × 10^-9 m² s^-1. On the other hand, Fickian diffusion and dissolution were identified as the controlling mechanisms for lycopene release during in vitro intestinal fluid simulation.