title: Formulation and Characterization of Anthocyanins-Loaded Nanoparticles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Açaí berry, from the Euterpe oleracea Mart. Palm, has been described as the most important fruit in the Brazilian Amazon. Several studies have reported that anthocyanins (ACNs), one of the components of the açaí, have enormous potential for pharmaceuticals applications. However, the bioavailability of anthocyanins is relatively low compared to that of other flavonoids. Then, in the present work, anthocyanins-loaded nanoparticles have been developed to overcome their poor bioavailability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-level factorial design with three factors was considered to evaluate the effect of EUDRAGIT ® L100, polyethylene glycol 2000 (PEG 2000) and polysorbate 80 on encapsulation efficiency (EE) of anthocyanins. Also, major parameters of nanoparticles were assessed by using mainly SEM microscopy and Dynamic light scattering.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PEG 2000 was the only individual factor that has statistical significance (95% confidence level). The process yields (PY) were found in between 67% and 92%; the particle size and morphology analysis showed two distribution size, one for NPs and another for the agglomerates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pH-sensitive polymer together with the hydrophilic polymer showed to be suitable as ACNs delivery system. The delayed release profile of ACNs, observed for all formulations, can enhance their poor bioavailability. Nevertheless, ACNs bioavailability in vivo remains to be studied.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fármacos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Colegiado de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Amapá. Rod. JK, km 2, 68902-380, Macapá- AP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danay
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dupeyrón
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawakami
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rieumont
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001682:Biological Availability; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D004337:Drug Carriers
keywords: Anthocyanins; bioavailability; nanoparticles; phytochemicals; polymeric coatings.
  