Hydrogel bead delivery system encapsulates loaded with phloretin‐loaded nanostructured lipid carrier: microstructure, release and digestive behaviour.

Summary: The research assesses the properties of the phloretin‐loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) hydrogel bead. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate the properties of phloretin NLC hydrogel beads. The in vitro release study indicated that the phloretin NLC hydrogel beads continued to release within 24 h. The simulated digestibility studies showed that the phloretin NLC hydrogel beads could improve digestive behaviour by controlling lipid intake. The results showed that hydrogel beads could be used as an appropriate delivery system for the encapsulation of phloretin. Hence, the NLC hydrogel beads are a potential carrier of phloretin for application in healthy food, which can control lipid intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]