Chitosan/tripolyphosphate‐nanoliposomes core‐shell nanocomplexes as vitamin <scp>E</scp> carriers: shelf‐life and thermal properties

Abstract

Summary The aim of this study was to prepare the new core‐shell nanocomplexes as vitamin E (VE) carriers through chitosan (CS) coating onto the liposomal membrane surface in combination with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) cross‐linking, and investigated their storage and thermal properties by dynamic light scattering, ζ potential and fluorescence. Results showed that no obvious aggregation of nanocomplexes particles appeared and the VE retention rate was over 80% during the 30‐day storage. Thermal experiments demonstrated that the modification of polymers enhanced the stability of liposomes against temperature, including suppressing particle aggregation, ζ potential inversion and membrane fluidity. Compared with the great leakage of VE from uncovered liposomes, the retention rate of VE loaded into nanocomplexes remained around 92% and 97% after heated at 65 °C for 30 min and 80 °C for 16 s, respectively. The findings proved that these nanocomplexes can be employed to protect VE for extending shelf‐life and enhancing thermostability, and provide feasibility for commercial usage.