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BACKGROUND: Chitosan (CS) and tripolyphosphate (TPP) can be combined in the development of a material with synergistic properties and promising potential for the conservation of food products. In this study, ellagic acid (EA) and anti‐inflammatory peptide (FPL)‐loaded CS nanoparticles (FPL/EA NPs) were prepared using the ionic gelation method and optimal preparation conditions were obtained through a single factor design. RESULTS: The synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Nanoparticles were spherical, with an average size of 308.33 ± 4.61 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.254, a zeta potential of +31.7 ± 0.08 mV, and a high encapsulation capacity (22.16 ± 0.79%). An in vitro release study showed that EA/FPL had a sustainable release from FPL/EA NPs. The stability of the FPL/EA NPs was evaluated for 90 days at 0, 25, and 37 °C. Significant anti‐inflammatory activity of FPL/EA NPs was verified by nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) reduction. CONCLUSION: These characteristics support the use of CS nanoparticles to encapsulate EA and FPL and improve their bioactivity in food products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Spirulina platensis is rich in β-carotene, which possesses many important biological activities. This study investigated the ultrasound-assisted extraction and purification of β-carotene from Spirulina platensis by using response surface methodology ( RSM), determined its antioxidant capacity in vitro and explored its hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic mice. RESULTS The raw β-carotene extract with a concentration of 1942.14 ± 10.03 µg mL−1 was obtained at the optimised condition by RSM (0.40 of the solid-liquid ratio, 51% of the extraction power, and 17 min of the extraction time), and the purity of evaporated β-carotene extract reached 816.32 ± 10.57 mg g−1 after purified by a NKA-9 resin with a sampling and elution rate of 1 mL min−1. The β-carotene extract scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl free radicals with the highest ratios of 44 ± 0.26% and 35 ± 0.45% respectively, and exhibited strong inhibiting capacity on anti-lipid peroxidation. The blood glucose level of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice was significantly reduced from 15.81 ± 1.71 mmol L−1 to 8.10 ± 0.88 mmol L−1 after 10 d administration of the β-carotene extract [100 mg kg−1 body weight ( BW)], and the increased food and water intakes in the diabetic mice were also significantly relieved after β-carotene treatment. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that extraction of β-carotene from Spirulina platensis had potential prospects in scaled-up industrialisation and healthcare applications. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]