Preparation Of Astaxanthin Loaded Particles Using Supercritical Anti-solvent Process

Astaxanthin is one kind of the world's strongest antioxidant,it has wide beneficial health properties,such as anti-tumor,anti-aging,and prevention of heart and head blood-vessel disease,which will lead to bright application in medicine and health product industry.However,the application is limited by its weakness,including sensitivity to light,oxygen and heat,low solubility and bioavailability.Experimental and clinical studies found that loaded drugs could improve drug's solubility,increase drug's stability and control its release,which improves the medicinal value.In this paper,Zein and Poly-L-lactic acid(PLLA)were selected as carrier materials,the corresponding solvent systems were methylene chloride/dimethyl sulfoxide(DCM/DMSO),methylene chloride/acetone(DCM/AC),respectively.And L16(45)orthogonal experiments were designed to prepare and optimize astaxanthin loaded microsphere via supercritical anti-solvent process(SAS).Samples were characterized with SEM,FT IR,XRD,DSC and TG to investigate the influence on astaxanthin loaded microsphere.Results showed that the SAS process successfully prepared the astaxanthin loaded microspheres.(1)While Zein as the carrier,DCM/DMSO as the solvent system,according to the orthogonal array design,the significant sequence influence of 5 process parameters on encapsulation efficiency(EE)of astaxanthin is T > Rv > P >F > C.The optimal operating condition is T = 42 oC,Rv = 1:2(DMSO/DCM,v/v),P = 80 bar,C = 3 g/L,F = 1.5 m L/min.(2)While PLLA as the carrier,DCM/AC as the solvent system,the influence of all parameters on EE of astaxanthin is F > T > P > R > C.The optimal operating condition is F =1.2 mL/min,T =42 oC,P =80 bar,Rv =3:7(AC/DCM,v/v),C =7 g/L.(3)According to the characterization,SEM and particle size results showed that astaxanthin loaded microspheres by SAS were smooth and uniform particle size.XRD and DSC results suggested that astaxanthin was firmly loaded in the carrier material with amorphous form.In vitro release results showed that loaded microspheres performed good control release.Stability results suggested that loading astaxanthin into carrier material enhanced the stability of astaxanthin.