Delivery of β-carotene to the in vitro intestinal barrier using nanoemulsions with lecithin or sodium caseinate as emulsifiers

• Published in: Food science & technology 2021-01, Vol.135, p.110059, Article 110059
• Main Authors: Gasa-Falcon, Ariadna, Arranz, Elena, Odriozola-Serrano, Isabel, Martín-Belloso, Olga, Giblin, Linda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: In vitro digestion; Intestinal barrier; Nanoemulsions; β-carotene
• ISSN: 0023-6438; 1096-1127
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110059

To increase the intestinal delivery of dietary β-carotene, there is a need to develop nanostructured food systems to encapsulate this fat soluble bioactive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioacessibility and bioavailability across the intestinal barrier of β-carotene-enriched nanoemulsions stabilised with two emulsifiers (lecithin or sodium caseinate) by coupling an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion with two in vitro cell culture models (Caco-2 or co-culture of Caco-2/HT29-MTX). Nanoemulsions stabilised with lecithin had significantly higher β-carotene in the gastrointestinal digested micellar fraction, lower β-carotene in the Caco-2 (and Caco-2/HT29-MTX) apical compartment and significantly higher β-carotene in Caco-2 cellular content compared to β-carotene-enriched nanoemulsions stabilised with sodium caseinate. Finally, to assess anti-inflammatory activity of digested nanoemulsions, lipopolysaccharide stimulated macrophages were exposed to Caco- 2 basolateral samples with levels of TNF-α and IL-β, subsequently quantified. A TNF-α response from stimulated THP-1 macrophages was elicited by basolateral samples, regardless the emulsifier used to formulate nanoemulsions. This study demonstrated that β-carotene permeability is influenced by the food derived emulsifier used for stabilising nanoemulsions, indicating that composition may be a critical factor for β-carotene delivery. •Permeability of β-carotene was assessed using in vitro cell culture models.•Bioaccessibility of β-carotene was enhanced with lecithin-stabilised nanoemulsions.•Nanoemulsions elicited a TNF-α response from stimulated THP-1 macrophages.•This study elucidates the hurdles faced by concentration limits.