Co-encapsulation of ω-3 LC-PUFAs and carotenoids for enhanced synergistic antioxidant effects

This work aimed to study the co-encapsulation of ω-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LC-PUFAs) with β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin and the cellular uptake of carotenoids. Monodisperse microcapsules with good properties, including particle surface morphology, water activity, microencapsulation efficiency, and glass transition temperature, were successfully prepared using a microfluidic-jet spray drier with OSA-modified starch as a wall matrix. The presence of carotenoids enhanced the oxidative stability of ω-3 LC-PUFAs. Caco-2 cell uptakes of the carotenoids from the spray-dried microcapsules were studied and compared to those encapsulated in the methylcellulose (MC) or xanthan gum (XG) delivery systems. The microcapsules encapsulated by OSA-modified starch showed higher cellular uptakes of carotenoids (i.e., β-carotene, 0.31 μg/mg protein; lutein, 0.52 μg/mg protein; zeaxanthin, 0.54 μg/mg protein) than those in the MC or XG delivery systems. The Caco-2 cell uptake depended on carotenoid type, where hydrocarbon carotenoids (i.e., β-carotene) had lower uptake than oxygenated carotenoids (i.e., lutein or zeaxanthin).