为提高虾青素的生物利用度,增加其稳定性,采用均质乳化-探头超声法制备虾青素纳米脂质载体(AST-NLC)。以粒径和包封率为指标,通过单因素试验和中心复合设计法优化AST-NLC的制备工艺,并对制备的AST-NLC进行X射线衍射(XRD)和傅里叶红外光谱(FT-IR)结构表征,以及4、25、50 ℃下的热稳定性测试。结果表明:制备AST-NLC的最佳工艺条件为甘油三硬脂酸酯与中链甘油三酯质量比1∶ 11(总质量0.99 g)、乳化剂用量(吐温-80+大豆卵磷脂,质量比1∶ 1)3.8%(以水相质量为基准)、油水比1∶ 34(体积比)、均质速度5 000 r/min、超声时间2 min、虾青素添加量2.0 mg,在此条件下制备的AST- NLC粒径为(79.30±1.21)nm,多分散系数(PDI)为0.01±0.01,包封率为(81.36±1.84)%,Zeta电位为(-18.13±2.83)mV;结构表征结果表明,AST-NLC中的虾青素是以分子的状态包裹在脂质体中;热稳定性结果显示,4 ℃更有利于AST-NLC的保存。综上,成功制备了粒径小、分散均匀且包封率较高的AST-NLC。In order to improve the bioavailability and increase the stability of astaxanthin, astaxanthin nanolipid carrier (AST-NLC) was prepared by the homogeneous emulsification-probe ultrasonic method. The preparation process of AST-NLC was optimized by single factor experiment and central composite design method with particle size and encapsulation rate as indexes, and the AST-NLC prepared was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and tested for thermal stability at 4, 25 ℃ and 50 ℃. The results showed that the optimal process conditions for preparing AST-NLC were mass ratio of glycerol tristearate to medium chain triglyceride 1∶ 11 (total mass 0.99 g), emulsifier dosage (Tween-80+soybean lecithin, mass ratio 1∶ 1)3.8%(based on water phase mass), oil-water volume ratio 1∶ 34, homogeneous speed 5 000 r/min, ultrasonic time 2 min, astaxanthin dosage 2.0 mg. Under the optimal conditions, the AST-NLC was prepared with a particle size of (79.30±1.21) nm, a polymer dispersity index(PDI) of 0.01±0.01, an encapsulation rate of (81.36±1.84)%, and Zeta potential(-18.13±2.83)mV. The structural analysis revealed that astaxanthin in AST-NLC was encapsulated in liposomes in the state of molecules. The thermal stability results showed 4 ℃ was more favorable for the preservation of AST-NLC. In conclusion, AST-NLC with small particle size, homogenous dispersion and high encapsulation rate was successfully prepared.