Enhancing the oral bioavailability of natural astaxanthin using plant-based micro- and nano-encapsulation materials: Results of an In vitro evaluation and a cross-over study in humans

• Published in: Precision nanomedicine Vol. 3; no. 3
• Main Authors: Abuhassira-Cohen, Yarden, Edelman, Ravit, Abbas, Randa, Kurnik, Daniel, Shibel, Rand, Livney, Yoav D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Andover House Inc 31.08.2020
• ISSN: 2639-9431; 2639-9431
• DOI: 10.33218/001c.16781

<img src=“https://s3.amazonaws.com/production.scholastica/article/16781/large/prnano_492020_ga.jpg?1598886381”> Astaxanthin (AX) is a red xanthophyll carotenoid found mainly in algae (notably Haematococcus pluvialis microalga) and marine animals. AX is a stronger antioxidant than vitamin E and β–carotene, but has very low oral bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to develop a potato protein (PP)-based delivery system for increasing oral bioavailability of lipophilic bioactives (nutraceuticals and drugs), using AX as a model, and to evaluate the system in vitro and in vivo in a cross-over clinical study in human volunteers. Three different formulations were prepared, encapsulating AX oleoresin (AXO) with: (1) PP only, (2) PP+lecithin (LEC), (3) PP+olive oil (OO). The average particle diameters after preparation were 0.29, 0.29 and 1.76 µm, and after freeze-drying and reconstitution 0.17, 0.07 and 6.93 µm, respectively. In vitro bioaccessibilities were 33, 47 and 69%, respectively, vs. 16% only for the raw AXO. In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study in human subjects, the PP-OO-AX formulation had a 4.8-fold higher median plasma AX area under the concentration-over time curve (AUC; P<0.001) compared to the raw AXO formulation. In conclusion, a non-allergenic, vegan, PP-based delivery system made of “all natural ingredients” offers a great promise for increasing oral bioavailability of lipophilic bioactives such as AX, for the enrichment of food and for dietary supplements, or for oral delivery of lipophilic drugs.