title: Design of microemulsion system suitable for the oral delivery of poorly aqueous soluble beta-carotene.
abstract: Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant for maintaining human health. However, its oral absorption is low due to poor aqueous solubility of less than 1 μg/ml. A microemulsion delivery system was designed to solubilize beta-carotene toward enhancing its oral bioavailability. From seven pseudoternary diagrams constructed, three systems were selected with large microemulsion areas suitable for oral administration and dilution in the predominately aqueous gastrointestinal fluids. Conductivity and rheology characterization were conducted along four dilution lines within the selected systems. Three pseudoternary-phase diagrams were selected with large microemulsion regions, >60% of the total phase diagram area, which provide microemulsions with higher drug-loading capacity. A phenomenon was observed by which both propylene glycol and Capmul MCM EP stabilize the microstructure of the microemulsions has been proposed based on the characterization studies. An optimal bicontinuous microemulsion formulation was selected comprising 12% orange oil, 24% Capmul MCM, 18% Tween 20, 6% Labrasol, 20% propylene glycol and 20% water, with a high beta-carotene loading capacity of 140.8 μg/ml and droplet size of 117.4 nm. In conclusion, the developed novel microemulsion formulation allows solubilizing beta-carotene and is a promising basis for further development as a functional beverage.
authors.affiliation: a School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: a School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Svirskis
authors.affiliation: b Department of Agricultural Sciences , Lincoln University , Lincoln , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sung Je
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: c Institute of Food , Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Indrawati
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oey
authors.affiliation: d Department of Food Science , University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Hae-Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: a School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Guanyu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: e Department of Food Science and Technology , Sejong University , Seoul , South Korea.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bunt
authors.affiliation: a School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jingyuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wen
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000737:chemistry*; D044367:Phase Transition; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D014783:Viscosity; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004655:Emulsions; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D019207:beta Carotene; D019946:Propylene Glycol
keywords: Beta-carotene; conductivity; microemulsion; oral delivery; pseudoternary-phase diagram; rheology