Abstract
This study evaluates the stability of lycopene in the presence of the prepared nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) under different environments and food systems and the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of the lycopene nanostructured lipid carriers (Lyco-NLCs) was studied. As observed in the stability experiment, Lyco-NLCs have good storage stability within 30 days. Food additives have little effect on its stability except for metal ions. Compared with free lycopene, Lyco-NLCs showed an improved antioxidant property. In in-vitro experiments, the DPPH radical scavenging rate, hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, and ferric reducing capacity of Lyco-NLCs increased by 90.47%, 47.43%, and 45.12%, respectively. The animal experiments showed that the activities of catalase in the kidney, superoxide dismutase in the heart, and glutathione peroxidase in the liver increased by 31.48%, 42.50%, and 21.47%, respectively. The content of malondialdehyde in serum decreased by 14.13%. The results have some significance for the practical application of lycopene.