Thermal and ultraviolet–visible light stability kinetics of co-nanoencapsulated carotenoids

Abstract Lipid-core nanocapsules loaded with β-carotene and α-carotene, and lutein (NCs) were produced with monomodal particle size distribution. Their mean diameter was 151.33 ± 5.03 nm (D 4,3 ) and 180.30 ± 0.70 nm ( z -average), zeta potential was −22.63 ± 0.52 mV, and pH was 3.21 ± 0.04. The stability of NCs was studied under different simulated industrial treatments, such as thermal and ultraviolet (UV)–visible light treatment. Regardless of the temperature and incubation time of the samples, higher carotenoids retention (%) was observed in NCs than ethanol extract (EE) (under UV–vis light treatment) and higher carotenoids retention (%) was observed in NCs compared to EE and data already published on the stability of non-encapsulated carotenoids (under thermal treatment). In addition, NCs when exposed to UV–vis light treatment had higher activation energy and lower constant rate ( k ) than EE. In conclusion, nanoencapsulation offers greater stability to the β-carotene, α-carotene, and lutein upon exposure to conditions similar to those used in the food processing (heat) and storage (UV–vis light).