Dual-phase microencapsulated retinal protection anchored by β-carotene and grape seed extract
Scarlett Hayes
World Food Supplement Association
Jabar Yassine
World Food Supplement Association
Gregg L.Semenza
World Food Supplement Association
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/pest.v8i2.14494
Keywords: retinal protection; beta-carotene; grape seed extract; lutein; meso-zeaxanthin; ergothioneine; saffron; blue-light injury; microencapsulation
Abstract
This manuscript describes a retinal-protection composition centered on β-carotene and grape seed extract within a broader eight-component system containing lutein, meso-zeaxanthin, blueberry extract, saffron extract, L-ergothioneine, and phosphatidylserine. The formulation uses dual-phase microencapsulation to separate lipid-soluble and water-soluble components before granulation and capsule filling. Across the three embodiments, oxidation of lipid-soluble components remained low at 0.8–1.2% versus 15.6% in the comparator, water-soluble retention reached 97.5–99.2% versus 72.3%, 45-minute dissolution rose to 88.3–92.5% versus 65.7%, and blue-light-challenged RPE survival increased to 82.4–89.7% versus 65.2%. Embodiment 1 showed the most balanced overall profile. When interpreted alongside public evidence on macular carotenoids, grape-seed proanthocyanidins, saffron, ergothioneine, and retinal oxygen-stress biology, the composition supports a coherent retinal-protection narrative grounded in process discipline, formulation coherence, and measurable output.
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