Microfluidic fabrication of size-controlled nanocarriers with improved stability and biocompatibility for astaxanthin delivery.

Microfluidic preparation of amino acid-induced self-assembled nanoparticles of anthocyanins for delivery of astaxanthin and protection against oxidatively damaged macrophages. [Display omitted] • Novel strategy for one-step fabrication of astaxanthin nanoparticles using microfluidic device. • Obtaining uniform size and low polydispersity index of the nanoparticles. • Achieving nano-delivery systems with good antioxidant activity and stability. • Enhancing macrophages resistance to H 2 O 2 damage using the nanoparticles. Improving the stability of astaxanthin (AST) is a vital way to enhance its oral bioavailability. In this study, a microfluidic strategy for the preparation of astaxanthin nano-encapsulation system was proposed. Thanks to the precise control of microfluidic and the rapid preparation ability of the Mannich reaction, the resulting astaxanthin nano-encapsulation system (AST-ACNs-NPs) was obtained with average sizes of 200 nm, uniform spherical shape and high encapsulation rate of 75%. AST was successfully doped into the nanocarriers, according to the findings of the DFT calculation, fluorescence spectrum, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. Compared with free AST, AST-ACNs-NPs showed better stability under the conditions of high temperature, pH and UV light with<20% activity loss rate. The nano-encapsulation system containing AST could significantly reduce the hydrogen peroxide produced by reactive oxygen species, keep the potential of the mitochondrial membrane at a healthy level, and improve the antioxidant ability of H 2 O 2 -induced RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicated that microfluidics-based astaxanthin delivery system is an effective solution to improve the bioaccessibility of bioactive substances and has potential application value in food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]