Beta-Carotene loaded nanoliposome: effects of gama - oryzanol on particle size stability and encapsulation

Beta-carotene is one of the most important types of functional compounds, antioxidant and precursor of vitamin A which can be find in plant based products. The enrichment of food with beta carotene is difficult due to its hydrophobic nature and low stability. The encapsulation of βcarotene in a lipid carrier such as liposome is a method which potentially can reduce these problems. In this research, the ß-carotene bearing liposomal system prepared using modified thermal method and Gama-oryzanol, as a phytosterols, was used to increase the stability of the liposome structure. Intending to ensure the capsulation of beta carotene in liposomes, functional groups and possible interaction between beta-carotene and lecithin was examined by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and peaks of 980 and 1580 cm-1 corresponding to the functional βcarotene, were observed in liposomes. Not only the particle size was obtained around 64 nm at different ratio of lecithin to β-carotene, but also it was below 500 nm during 30 days of storage time. Encapsulation efficiency of β-carotene at high concentrations of lecithin was % 77.25 and it declined to the %69.73 during storage. Using Gama-oryzanol in β-carotene bearing liposome increased the stability of particle size and encapsulation during the storage period.