Multilayered vitamin C nanoliposomes by self-assembly of alginate and chitosan: Long-term stability and feasibility application in mandarin juice

A polyelectrolyte delivery system for vitamin C, achieved by sequential deposition of positive chitosan (CH) and negative sodium alginate (AL) onto the surface of anionic nanoliposomes (NLs), was investigated. Compared with uncoated NLs, AL and CH coated NLs (ALCHNLs) displayed more significant changes in average diameter, zeta potential, pH and morphology, with lower lipid peroxidation and vitamin C release after 90 days of storage at 4 °C, suggesting that the shell (AL-CH) altered the surface properties of ALCHNLs and protected the core (NLs) structure from oxidation and hydrolysis. Further food matrices protection studies implied that mandarin juice fortified with ALCHNLs had less changes in organoleptic characteristics (pH, total acidity and color difference) and showed higher microbiological stability than naked NLs and vitamin C solution. Present results indicated that the biopolymers played a key role on the liposomal membrane structure stability and sustained release of entrapped molecules by a steric barrier on the surface. It provided a potential platform for tailored design of carriers for nutrients or preservatives to enhance both the shelf-life and safety of food matrices.