Nanoencapsulation of Maqui (<i>Aristotelia chilensis</i>) Extract in Chitosan-Tripolyphosphate and Chenopodin-Based Systems

• Main Authors: Daniela Andrade (Author), Francisca Maldonado-Bravo (Author), Amador Alburquerque (Author), Camilo Pérez (Author), Alexander Gamboa (Author), Nelson Caro (Author), Mario Díaz-Dosque (Author), Martin Gotelland (Author), Lilian Abugoch (Author), Cristian Tapia (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2024-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/antiox13030273; 2076-3921
• Keywords: maqui extract standardisation; maqui nanoencapsulation; antioxidant; chitosan; chenopodin; alginate; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Antioxidants, Vol 13, Iss 3, p 273 (2024)

Maqui berries contain a high percentage of anthocyanins with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity but that are unstable in the colonic site. Nanocarriers based on polysaccharides and/or proteins can protect against the degradation of anthocyanins. The aim of this study was the nanoencapsulation of maqui extract (ME) in chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CTPP-ME), chenopodin (CH-ME), and chenopodin-alginate (CHA-ME). A standardised ME was prepared and then encapsulated in the nanosystems. The physicochemical properties, encapsulation parameters, and the interactions of ME with the nanovehicles were characterised. The cyanidin-3-glucoside released and ORAC activity in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 were evaluated. The content of ME was 8-9 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside/g of extract. CTPP with ME at 3% obtained the highest encapsulation efficiency (EE = 91%), and no significant differences were observed in size (274-362 nm), PDI (0.5-0.7), and zeta potential (+34-+41 mV) when the concentration of ME changed from 1% to 5%. CH-ME was shown to be smaller (152 nm) than CTPP-ME, and CH-ME and CHA-ME showed lower EE (79% and 54%, respectively) than CTPP-ME. FT-IR revealed a stronger interaction of ME with CTPP-ME than with CH-ME. Both systems showed a significantly lower release than free ME, and the T50 value of CTPP-ME 3% (328 min) was higher than CH-ME (197 min). Both protected the ORAC activity of ME.