Effect of different encapsulation techniques on the pH, thermal and storage stability of vitexin

In this study, vitexin was encapsulated in chitosan microparticles and phytosome nanoparticles, in order to enhance its stability and bioavailability. The effect of types of carrier agents on the pH stability, thermal stability and shelf-life stability of vitexin-loaded particles was investigated. The free vitexin (V) was degraded at pH 7 due to its lowest value of total phenolic content (TPC), whereas vitexin-loaded chitosan microparticles (V-CHM) and vitexin-loaded phytosome nanoparticles (V-PHN) could improve the stability of vitexin at pH 7. After heat treatment at 120 and 150 °C, the V-CHM and V-PHN gave higher release of TPC and antioxidant activity. V-CHM and V-PHN could prolong the release of TPC and antioxidant activity values of vitexin during storage time of 60 days. The results suggest that chitosan microparticles and phytosome nanoparticles has ability to overcome the limitation and enable the application of vitexin.