Protective Effects of Carotenoid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Ochratoxin-A-Induced Cytotoxicity

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by <i>Aspergillus ochraceous</i> and various <i>Penicillium</i> species, which are known for contaminating agricultural products and posing significant health risks, which include immunotoxicity. This study aims to evaluate the poten...

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Main Authors: Nicola Pinna, Pilar Vila-Donat, Denisia Pașca, Francesca Blasi, Aurélie Schoubben, Lara Manyes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3351
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author Nicola Pinna
Pilar Vila-Donat
Denisia Pașca
Francesca Blasi
Aurélie Schoubben
Lara Manyes
author_facet Nicola Pinna
Pilar Vila-Donat
Denisia Pașca
Francesca Blasi
Aurélie Schoubben
Lara Manyes
author_sort Nicola Pinna
collection DOAJ
description Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by <i>Aspergillus ochraceous</i> and various <i>Penicillium</i> species, which are known for contaminating agricultural products and posing significant health risks, which include immunotoxicity. This study aims to evaluate the potential of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with a carotenoid-enriched extract from pumpkin peel (<i>Cucurbita maxima</i> L.) in mitigating the toxic effects of OTA. To address the poor bioavailability and instability of carotenoids, nanoencapsulation techniques were employed to enhance their delivery and efficacy. NLCs were formulated using hydrogenated sunflower oil, pumpkin oil, and soy lecithin using hot high-pressure homogenization. The in vitro study involved co-digesting OTA-contaminated bread with an NLC formulation and assessing the impact of the encapsulated carotenoid on OTA bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and cellular toxicity using Caco-2 and Jurkat T cells. Even though no significant influence was observed on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of OTA, carotenoid-loaded NLCs exhibited cytoprotective effects by improving cell viability and mitigating OTA-induced toxicity in both Caco-2 and Jurkat T cells. Particularly, the flow cytometry analysis highlighted the ability of carotenoids to mitigate OTA-induced cellular damage by decreasing ROS production and limiting mitochondrial mass changes. The study suggests that the encapsulation of carotenoids in NLCs represents a promising strategy to enhance their protective effects against OTA toxicity, potentially offering a novel approach to food safety and public health protection. The study underscores the potential of nanotechnology in improving the bioavailability and efficacy of natural antioxidants to mitigate mycotoxin-induced damage.
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spelling doaj-art-c6fd6dd4d65342ab975b48a79611b42b2025-08-20T02:49:49ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582024-10-011321335110.3390/foods13213351Protective Effects of Carotenoid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Ochratoxin-A-Induced CytotoxicityNicola Pinna0Pilar Vila-Donat1Denisia Pașca2Francesca Blasi3Aurélie Schoubben4Lara Manyes5Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Section of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, ItalyBiotech Agrifood, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, SpainBiotech Agrifood, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, SpainDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Section of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, ItalyDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, ItalyBiotech Agrifood, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, SpainOchratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by <i>Aspergillus ochraceous</i> and various <i>Penicillium</i> species, which are known for contaminating agricultural products and posing significant health risks, which include immunotoxicity. This study aims to evaluate the potential of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with a carotenoid-enriched extract from pumpkin peel (<i>Cucurbita maxima</i> L.) in mitigating the toxic effects of OTA. To address the poor bioavailability and instability of carotenoids, nanoencapsulation techniques were employed to enhance their delivery and efficacy. NLCs were formulated using hydrogenated sunflower oil, pumpkin oil, and soy lecithin using hot high-pressure homogenization. The in vitro study involved co-digesting OTA-contaminated bread with an NLC formulation and assessing the impact of the encapsulated carotenoid on OTA bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and cellular toxicity using Caco-2 and Jurkat T cells. Even though no significant influence was observed on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of OTA, carotenoid-loaded NLCs exhibited cytoprotective effects by improving cell viability and mitigating OTA-induced toxicity in both Caco-2 and Jurkat T cells. Particularly, the flow cytometry analysis highlighted the ability of carotenoids to mitigate OTA-induced cellular damage by decreasing ROS production and limiting mitochondrial mass changes. The study suggests that the encapsulation of carotenoids in NLCs represents a promising strategy to enhance their protective effects against OTA toxicity, potentially offering a novel approach to food safety and public health protection. The study underscores the potential of nanotechnology in improving the bioavailability and efficacy of natural antioxidants to mitigate mycotoxin-induced damage.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3351antioxidantsimulated digestionmycotoxincell line
spellingShingle Nicola Pinna
Pilar Vila-Donat
Denisia Pașca
Francesca Blasi
Aurélie Schoubben
Lara Manyes
Protective Effects of Carotenoid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Ochratoxin-A-Induced Cytotoxicity
Foods
antioxidant
simulated digestion
mycotoxin
cell line
title Protective Effects of Carotenoid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Ochratoxin-A-Induced Cytotoxicity
title_full Protective Effects of Carotenoid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Ochratoxin-A-Induced Cytotoxicity
title_fullStr Protective Effects of Carotenoid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Ochratoxin-A-Induced Cytotoxicity
title_full_unstemmed Protective Effects of Carotenoid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Ochratoxin-A-Induced Cytotoxicity
title_short Protective Effects of Carotenoid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Against Ochratoxin-A-Induced Cytotoxicity
title_sort protective effects of carotenoid loaded nanostructured lipid carriers against ochratoxin a induced cytotoxicity
topic antioxidant
simulated digestion
mycotoxin
cell line
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3351
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