Chitosan-Based Nanogels Designed for Betanin-Rich Beetroot Extract Transport: Physicochemical and Biological Aspects

Nanotechnology has emerged as a possible solution to improve phytochemicals’ limitations. The objective of the present study was encapsulate beetroot extract (BR Ext) within chitosan (CS)-based nanogel (NG) designed via ionic crosslinking with tripolyphosphate (TPP) for betanin (Bet) delivery, mainly in ophthalmic environment. BR Ext is rich according thin layer chromatography (TLC), UV-visible spectroscopy, and HPLC analysis. NG presented monodisperse profile size 166 ± 6 nm low polydispersity (0.30 0.03). ζ potential (ζ-Pot) +28 1 indicative colloidally stable system. encapsulation efficiency (EE) 45 3%. TEM, respective 3D-surface plots AFM, showed spherical–elliptical-shaped NG. release biphasic burst followed by slow sustained phase over 12 h. Mucoadhesion assay demonstrated interactions between mucin. Moreover, provided photoprotection pH stability Ext. FRAP ABTS assays confirmed that maintained antioxidant activity into Furthermore, vitro using human retinal cells displayed absence cytotoxicity well an efficient protection against injury agents (LPS H2O2). NGs are promising platform encapsulation, exerting controlled ophthalmological use.