β-Lactoglobulin improves liposome’s encapsulation properties for vitamin E delivery

Abstract

Vitamin E (VE) or α-tocopherol is the major fat-soluble antioxidant in the human body. It is a sensitive, easily oxidized in the air, molecule, so it must be protected from pro-oxidant elements which could affect its physiological benefits. Encapsulation constitutes a promising approach to maintain VE native properties over time and increase its concentration in aqueous media. Liposomes have been studied as sustained delivery systems, being biodegradable, non-toxic and non-immunogenic. A new liposome/β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) formulation has been developed and characterized as a possible stable delivery system for VE. β-Lg has been selected due to its property to bind a variety of hydrophobic molecules. The aim of this study was the preparation of β-Lg-liposome formulation and the determination of VE encapsulation efficiency, in order to develop a new more efficient carrier for VE in aqueous media.

• β-Lactoglobulin
• carrier
• encapsulation
• liposome
• stability
• vitamin E

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Prof. Philippos J. Pomonis for the availability of the Scanning Electronic Microscopy at his laboratory. We also thank Mrs Vivien Buchanan-Lappas for help with the English.