Stability of bioactive solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with herbal extracts when exposed to simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) can be used as vehicles for phenolic compounds rich extracts. In the present work two types of waxes - witepsol and carnauba were tested for the first time in the production of solid lipid nanoparticles (WSLN and CSLN, respectively) loaded with sage and savoury extracts. Physical characterization and association efficiencies calculation were performed. Discrimination of loaded phenolic compounds from each extract was made using HPLC assays. Antioxidant activities of SLN were characterized using two different methods - ABTS and ORAC. Finally, the phenolic compound release profile from SLN and stability when exposed to simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions were also evaluated. Different phenolic compounds from sage and savoury extracts were entrapped in SLN. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained for the SLN loaded with savoury extract. Stomach simulated condition provokes a partial release of rosmarinic acid from SLN, whereas at small intestine simulation step, all SLN showed a release of ca. 100%. Witepsol SLN were the ones that best maintained their physical integrity during digestion, showing to be the most stable vehicles for sage and savoury extracts. These SLN show to be suitable for the production of food functional ingredients bearing antioxidant activity.