Inhibition of β-carotene degradation in oil-in-water nanoemulsions: Influence of oil-soluble and water-soluble antioxidants

The utilisation of carotenoids as functional ingredients (pigments and nutraceuticals) in many food and beverage products is currently limited because of their poor water-solubility, high melting point, chemical instability, and low bioavailability. This study examined the impact of antioxidants on the chemical degradation of β-carotene encapsulated within nanoemulsions suitable for oral ingestion. β-Carotene was incorporated into oil-in-water nanoemulsions stabilized by either a globular protein (β-lactoglobulin) or a non-ionic surfactant (Tween 20). Nanoemulsions were then stored at neutral pH and their physical and chemical stability were monitored under accelerated stress storage conditions (55 °C). β-Carotene degradation was monitored non-destructively using colour reflectance measurements. The rate of β-carotene degradation decreased upon addition of water-soluble (EDTA and ascorbic acid) or oil-soluble (vitamin E acetate or Coenzyme Q10) antioxidants. EDTA was more effective than ascorbic acid, and Coenzyme Q10 was more effective than vitamin E acetate. The utilisation of water-soluble and oil-soluble antioxidants in combination (EDTA and vitamin E acetate) was less effective than using them individually. Emulsions stabilized by β-lactoglobulin were more stable to colour fading than those stabilized by Tween 20. These results provide useful information for designing effective nanoemulsion-based delivery systems that retard the chemical degradation of encapsulated carotenoids during long term storage.