Ningbo Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Ningbo 315100, China; Polytechnic Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310015, China.
Silk Inspection Center, Hangzhou Customs, Hangzhou 310063, China.
Food Chem. 2025 Jan 15;463(Pt 3):141324. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141324. Epub 2024 Sep 18.
Oral administration of astaxanthin (AST), a potent antioxidant, is limited owing to its low solubility, physicochemical stability, and bioavailability. This study developed pH-responsive nanocarriers by the electrostatic self-assembly of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyradical (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TCNFs) and chitosan (CS) to enhance the intestinal delivery of AST. The TCNF/CS@AST nanoparticles were optimized through single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken design, subsequently overcoming the hydrophobicity of AST and demonstrating improved stability against environmental stressors and controlled release in the intestinal environment. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the near-spherical shape of these nanoparticles, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 64 nm. TCNF/CS@AST enhanced the antioxidant effectiveness of AST after digestion and in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells while demonstrating good cellular compatibility. These nanoparticles present a promising strategy for the oral delivery of hydrophobic bioactive compounds orally, with potential applications in precision nutrition.
口服虾青素（AST），一种有效的抗氧化剂，由于其低溶解度、物理化学稳定性和生物利用度有限。本研究通过 2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-1-氧自由基（TEMPO）氧化纤维素纳米纤维（TCNF）和壳聚糖（CS）的静电自组装开发了 pH 响应性纳米载体，以增强 AST 的肠道传递。通过单因素实验和 Box-Behnken 设计对 TCNF/CS@AST 纳米颗粒进行了优化，随后克服了 AST 的疏水性，并表现出对环境胁迫的稳定性提高和在肠道环境中的控制释放。透射电子显微镜证实了这些纳米颗粒的近球形形状，平均水动力直径为 64nm。TCNF/CS@AST 增强了 AST 在消化后的抗氧化效果，并且在脂多糖刺激的 RAW 264.7 细胞中也表现出良好的细胞相容性。这些纳米颗粒为口服传递疏水性生物活性化合物提供了一种有前途的策略，在精准营养方面具有潜在的应用。
