Formation of carotenoid supramolecular aggregates in nanocarriers monitored via aggregation-sensitive chiroptical output of enantiopure (3 S ,3' S )-astaxanthin.

The aggregation-sensitive chiroptical (ECD and RROA) output, provided by enantiopure (3 S ,3' S )-astaxanthin, was used to investigate and control the assembling processes of the carotenoid in Pluronic F-127 nanoparticles. The process of carotenoid J -aggregation inside nanocarriers is interfered with by the formation of kinetically stabilized H1 self-assemblies outside the micelles. Nanocarriers with encapsulated stable J -aggregates provide controlled release of carotenoid molecules to primary murine adipocytes.