Optimization of Solid Lipid Microcapsule Matrix for Enhanced Release and Bioavailability of L-Lysine in Swine

L-lysine (L-Lys) is the first-limiting amino acid in swine nutrition, but free-form supplements exhibit poor intestinal absorption, reducing their bioavailability. This study aimed to enhance the gastric retention, controlled intestinal release, and systemic availability of L-Lys by optimizing solid...

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Main Authors: Costanza Bonnici, Maria Federica Marchesi, Martina Felici, Federico Ghiselli, Roberta Majer, Benedetta Tugnoli, Guglielmo Gallina, Andrea Piva, Ester Grilli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1806
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author Costanza Bonnici
Maria Federica Marchesi
Martina Felici
Federico Ghiselli
Roberta Majer
Benedetta Tugnoli
Guglielmo Gallina
Andrea Piva
Ester Grilli
author_facet Costanza Bonnici
Maria Federica Marchesi
Martina Felici
Federico Ghiselli
Roberta Majer
Benedetta Tugnoli
Guglielmo Gallina
Andrea Piva
Ester Grilli
author_sort Costanza Bonnici
collection DOAJ
description L-lysine (L-Lys) is the first-limiting amino acid in swine nutrition, but free-form supplements exhibit poor intestinal absorption, reducing their bioavailability. This study aimed to enhance the gastric retention, controlled intestinal release, and systemic availability of L-Lys by optimizing solid lipid microcapsules (SLMs). SLMs were formulated using hydrogenated triglycerides (C16:0 or C18:1), free fatty acids, and varying emulsifier concentrations. Gastric retention and intestinal release were evaluated in vitro under simulated gastrointestinal conditions (a pepsin buffer at pH 5.0 for 2 h, followed by a pancreatin buffer at pH 6.5 for up to 8 h at 39 °C). SLMs with hydrogenated triglycerides showed significantly higher gastric retention (94–95%) than those with free fatty acids (48%). Specifically, C16:0 triglyceride-based SLMs achieved 74% intestinal release, which was enhanced to 90% with 1% emulsifier. This refined formulation was subsequently evaluated in vivo using weaned pigs (three groups; n = 4) fed a basal cornmeal diet. The treatments included a single oral administration of saline solution (placebo), free L-Lys (0.17 g/kg BW), or L-Lys SLMs (0.38 g/kg BW, equally providing L-Lys at 0.17 g/kg BW). The SLMs delayed the L-Lys plasma peak (T. max. 3–4 h vs. 1 h) and significantly increased the total L-Lys amount in the plasma over 24 h, demonstrating the enhanced relative bioavailability of encapsulated L-Lys.
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spelling doaj-art-ced0a38dced146ffbb7aff59614a6d582025-08-20T03:26:24ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011512180610.3390/ani15121806Optimization of Solid Lipid Microcapsule Matrix for Enhanced Release and Bioavailability of L-Lysine in SwineCostanza Bonnici0Maria Federica Marchesi1Martina Felici2Federico Ghiselli3Roberta Majer4Benedetta Tugnoli5Guglielmo Gallina6Andrea Piva7Ester Grilli8Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università di Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università di Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, ItalyVetagro S.p.A., via Porro 2, 42124 Reggio Emilia, ItalyVetagro S.p.A., via Porro 2, 42124 Reggio Emilia, ItalyVetagro S.p.A., via Porro 2, 42124 Reggio Emilia, ItalyVetagro S.p.A., via Porro 2, 42124 Reggio Emilia, ItalyVetspin Srl, via Toscanini 9, Villanova di Castenaso, 40055 Bologna, ItalyVetagro S.p.A., via Porro 2, 42124 Reggio Emilia, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università di Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, ItalyL-lysine (L-Lys) is the first-limiting amino acid in swine nutrition, but free-form supplements exhibit poor intestinal absorption, reducing their bioavailability. This study aimed to enhance the gastric retention, controlled intestinal release, and systemic availability of L-Lys by optimizing solid lipid microcapsules (SLMs). SLMs were formulated using hydrogenated triglycerides (C16:0 or C18:1), free fatty acids, and varying emulsifier concentrations. Gastric retention and intestinal release were evaluated in vitro under simulated gastrointestinal conditions (a pepsin buffer at pH 5.0 for 2 h, followed by a pancreatin buffer at pH 6.5 for up to 8 h at 39 °C). SLMs with hydrogenated triglycerides showed significantly higher gastric retention (94–95%) than those with free fatty acids (48%). Specifically, C16:0 triglyceride-based SLMs achieved 74% intestinal release, which was enhanced to 90% with 1% emulsifier. This refined formulation was subsequently evaluated in vivo using weaned pigs (three groups; n = 4) fed a basal cornmeal diet. The treatments included a single oral administration of saline solution (placebo), free L-Lys (0.17 g/kg BW), or L-Lys SLMs (0.38 g/kg BW, equally providing L-Lys at 0.17 g/kg BW). The SLMs delayed the L-Lys plasma peak (T. max. 3–4 h vs. 1 h) and significantly increased the total L-Lys amount in the plasma over 24 h, demonstrating the enhanced relative bioavailability of encapsulated L-Lys.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1806lysinemicrocapsulesfeed additivesamino acid supplementationbioavailabilityfunctional properties
spellingShingle Costanza Bonnici
Maria Federica Marchesi
Martina Felici
Federico Ghiselli
Roberta Majer
Benedetta Tugnoli
Guglielmo Gallina
Andrea Piva
Ester Grilli
Optimization of Solid Lipid Microcapsule Matrix for Enhanced Release and Bioavailability of L-Lysine in Swine
Animals
lysine
microcapsules
feed additives
amino acid supplementation
bioavailability
functional properties
title Optimization of Solid Lipid Microcapsule Matrix for Enhanced Release and Bioavailability of L-Lysine in Swine
title_full Optimization of Solid Lipid Microcapsule Matrix for Enhanced Release and Bioavailability of L-Lysine in Swine
title_fullStr Optimization of Solid Lipid Microcapsule Matrix for Enhanced Release and Bioavailability of L-Lysine in Swine
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of Solid Lipid Microcapsule Matrix for Enhanced Release and Bioavailability of L-Lysine in Swine
title_short Optimization of Solid Lipid Microcapsule Matrix for Enhanced Release and Bioavailability of L-Lysine in Swine
title_sort optimization of solid lipid microcapsule matrix for enhanced release and bioavailability of l lysine in swine
topic lysine
microcapsules
feed additives
amino acid supplementation
bioavailability
functional properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1806
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