One-pot preparation of lutein block methoxy polyethylene glycol copolymer-coated lutein nanoemulsion

Lutein-b-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Lutein-b-mPEG) encapsulated lutein nanoemulsion was prepared. First, mercapto-terminated mPEG (mPEG-SH) was prepared. Then, vinyl-terminated lutein was prepared by the esterification reaction of lutein and allyl chloroformate. Finally, Lutein-b-mPEG was synthesized by the thiol-ene reaction of the vinyl-terminated intermediate and mPEG-SH. Lutein-b-mPEG was self-assembled in water to form spherical micelles, and the unreacted lutein was directly loaded in the micelles. The synthesis of the block copolymer and loading of unreacted lutein are completed in one pot. The results of IR, 1 H NMR, GPC, and surface tension showed that the Lutein-b-mPEG was prepared. The TEM results showed that Lutein-b-mPEG loaded lutein self-assembled in water to form spherical micelles, and the average size is larger than that of Lutein-b-mPEG micelles. The chemical stability of lutein loaded by Lutein-b-mPEG micelles is greatly enhanced. Moreover, due to the water solubility and micellization of lutein, it is possible to greatly increase its bioavailability.