Encapsulation of Coenzyme Q10 using OSA Starch and Surfactant: Implications for Storage Stability and Pharmacokinetic Profile

초록

In this study, we developed a nano-encapsulation system using three types of octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)-modified starches as wall materials to enhance the solubilization and delivery efficiency of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). The OSA starches were categorized into high-viscosity (Sunfree) and low-viscosity (Purity Gum Ultra and EMCAP) groups. Low-viscosity carriers achieved superior particle uniformity with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 225 to 240 nm. Specifically, Purity Gum Ultra exhibited exceptional solubilization capacity, maintaining nearly 100% solubility up to a CoQ10 concentration of 30 mg/mL. The starch-based encapsulation provided a robust interfacial barrier that effectively protected the CoQ10 core against chemical degradation under severe thermal stress (60－100°C) and across a wide pH range (3.0－9.0). Pharmacokinetic evaluation in a rat model revealed that the Purity Gum Ultra-based nano-capsules significantly enhanced systemic exposure, achieving an 8.48-fold increase in relative bioavailability compared to crystalline CoQ10.

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