Novel hesperetin loaded nanocarriers for food fortification: Production and characterization

• Nanostructure lipid carriers (NLC) of hesperetin were coated using chitosan, alginate, and low methoxyl pectin.
• The zeta potential of hesperetin loaded nanocarriers increased by layer by layer coating.
• The initial burst release of hesperetin was inhibited as result of coating using alginate and chitosan.
• Leaded nanocarriers showed high potential application for milk fortification.

The objective of this research was to encapsulate hesperetin as a natural antioxidant in order to enhance its functionality for food fortification. Hesperetin loaded nanostructure lipid carriers (NLC) were coated with different biopolymers (chitosan, alginate, and low methoxypectin) and some features of the developed nanocarriers, including size, zeta potential, morphology, release kinetics, stability, thermal behaviour, chemical structure, and sensory properties were studied. The developed nano size carries showed high zeta potential and excellent stability against aggregation. Thermal analysis indicated that hesperetin was well incorporated into nanoparticles. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed no chemical reaction between encapsulating materials and hesperetin. Sensory analysis also showed that developed nanoparticles could be applied for milk fortification to mask bitterness, inhibit colour change and enhance its solubility.