Preparation of lutein-loaded particles for improving solubility and stability by Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as an emulsion-stabilizer.

Lutein, a non-provitamin A carotenoid, possesses multiple valuable physiological functions. Unfortunately, its application is limited due to its poor water solubility and instability under adverse conditions. To expand the applied range of lutein, we developed lutein-loaded particles and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and investigated the encapsulation efficiency, aqueous saturation solubility and stability. The results showed that the lutein-loaded particles possessed high encapsulation efficiency (93.8±0.35%) and good water solubility (158μg/ml). Compared with free lutein, the stability of the lutein-loaded particles against heat, light and oxygen was improved by 1.7 times, 3.3 times and 4.0 times, respectively. The results also indicated that lutein was embedded in PVP matrix in an amorphous state, and intermolecular hydrogen bonding was in existence between PVP, lutein and Tween 80, forming the main force assembling the lutein-loaded particles.