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Researchers from Iran recently investigated the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of co-encapsulated omega-3 and vitamin D3 in beeswax, to understand if it improved the low solubility and stability of the bioactive compounds inย harsh conditions.
โCo-loaded vitamin D3 and omega-3 in beeswax SLNs have great potential to be used as bioactive compounds in food fortification and production of functional foods,โ they reported in the journalย Frontiers in Nutritionโ.ย โ
Solid lipid nanoparticlesโ
SLNs, composed of solid lipids dispersed in an aqueous surfactant solution,ย have been shownโย to boost the bioavailability and stability of encapsulated compounds, while co-encapsulation of bioactive components, such as vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids, in SLNsย has shown promiseโย in enhancing stability and functionality.
Beeswax, known for itsย low toxicity, biodegradability and affordabilityโ, is presented as a solid lipid for SLNs as it has a melting temperature of 61ยฐC to 67ยฐC. Its hydrophobic nature makes it an “ideal matrix for lipid-soluble substances in SLN fabrication,” the authors noted.ย
It has been shown to beย successful as a lipid matrixโย for food-compatible SLNs, however previous researchโย encountered challenges in identifying the correct ratio of beeswax in the lipid matrixโwhere increasing the beeswax decreased the storage stability of encapsulated vitamin D3 but increased its EE and release rate (in the phosphate buffer).ย
Omega-3 and vitamin D3 encapsulationย โ
For this study, the researchers co-loaded omega-3 and vitamin D3 into beeswax SLNs and observed the EE of the bioactive ingredients in function of the concentration of the core solution, which includedย vitamin D3 (5 mg and 10โmg/mL) and omega-3 (8 mg and 10โmg).
The simultaneous encapsulation of vitamin D3 and omega-3 at concentrations of 5 mg and 10โmg, respectively, showed the highest EE, and spherical nanocapsules with the lowest sized (63.5โnm) was selected as the optimum form.ย Inย vitroโย results indicated that 19.4% of omega-3 and 9.3% ofย vitamin D3 could be absorbed on nanoparticle surfaces and quickly released into the buffer solution. In highly oxidizing conditions, 96.2% and 90.4% of entrapped vitamin D3 and omega-3 remained stable in nanoparticles.
The nanocomplexes showed capable storage stability, and no agglomerate or aggregate was observed after 30โdays of storage at 4ยฐC, showing “high stability against harsh conditions, which is important for the use of sensitive nutrients,” the authors noted.
โSince beeswax nanoparticles are a good carrier and have a suitable loading capacity, it is suggested to load various fat-soluble vitamins, essential oils, antibiotic compounds and postbiotic compounds into them in future research,โ they concluded.
Beeswaxย โ
The inclusion of beeswax in supplement development is drawing increasing interest for several reasons.ย
As a natural binder, it can be used for creating solid formats like capsules, tablets and soft gels. It also contains natural compounds that can act as preservatives, helping to extend shelf life by inhibiting microbial growth and oxidation.ย
Additionally, supporting the use of beeswax promotes beekeeping and the health of bee populations, which are vital for pollination and the health of ecosystems, according to the new study. This aligns with the growing consumer preference for environmentally sustainable products as well as natural ingredients.
ย
Journal: Frontiers in Nutritionโ
doi:ย 10.3389/fnut.2024.1323067โ
โCo-encapsulation of omega-3 and vitamin D3 in beeswax solid lipid nanoparticles to evaluate physicochemical and in vitroโ release propertiesโ
Authors: Shakeri, M. Et al.
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