Effect of the Emulsifier Used in Dunaliella salina-Based Nanoemulsions Formulation on the β-Carotene Absorption and Metabolism in Rats

Scope Microalgae such as Dunaliella salina are a potential sustainable source of natural β-carotene due to their fast growth and high adaptability to environmental conditions. This work aims to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of β-carotene from this alga into different emulsifier-type nanoe...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Teixé-Roig, Júlia, Oms Oliu, Gemma, Odriozola Serrano, Isabel, Martín Belloso, Olga
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universitat de Lleida (UdL)
Repositorio:Repositori Obert UdL
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.udl.cat:10459.1/463119
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202200492
https://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/463119
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Dunaliella salina
Descripción
Sumario:Scope Microalgae such as Dunaliella salina are a potential sustainable source of natural β-carotene due to their fast growth and high adaptability to environmental conditions. This work aims to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of β-carotene from this alga into different emulsifier-type nanoemulsions (soybean lecithin [SBL], whey protein isolate [WPI], sodium caseinate [SDC]) on its absorption, metabolization, and biodistribution in rats. Methods and results Nanoemulsions formulated with different emulsifiers at 8% concentration are obtained by five cycles of microfluidization at 130 mPa, then expose to an in vitro digestion or orally administer to rats. Feeding rats with nanoemulsions improves β-carotene uptake compared to control suspension, especially using SDC and WPI as emulsifiers. A greater presence of β-carotene and retinol in the intestine, plasma, and liver is observed, being the liver the tissue that shows the highest accumulation. This fact can be a consequence of the smaller droplets that protein-nanoemulsions present compared to that with SBL in the intestine of rats, which promote faster digestibility and higher β-carotene bioaccessibility (35%–50% more) according to the in vitro observations. Conclusions Nanoemulsions, especially those formulated with protein emulsifiers, are effective systems for increasing β-carotene absorption, as well as retinol concentration in different rat tissues.