Y3, Particle size, PDI and astaxanthin loss of astaxanthin nanodispersions, respectively.
The objective of the present study was to systematically investigate the influence of the concentrations of the three main emulsion components, astaxanthin, emulsifier and organic phase, on the particle size, PDI and astaxanthin loss of astaxanthin nanodispersions.
A considerable enhancement of particle size due to an increase of astaxanthin concentration was seen in our results, especially at high levels of astaxanthin concentration.
The positive quadratic effect of astaxanthin concentration confirmed the increases of particle size upon increasing the astaxanthin concentration, especially at high levels.
The increasing astaxanthin loss at higher astaxanthin concentrations (at high levels of emulsifier, Figure 3a) could be the result of a relatively high probability for an isomerization or self-reaction of astaxanthin due to of the increased frequency of particle collision at high astaxanthin concentrations.
Theoretical concentration of astaxanthin.
Fig. 1 Structure of astaxanthin.
C is the concentration of astaxanthin at time, C′ is the initial concentration of astaxanthin.
Some of them are substrates and intermediates of astaxanthin synthase.
As shown in Figure 3a, the effect of astaxanthin concentration on astaxanthin loss depended on the emulsifier concentration used.
