Encapsulation and Release of Curcumin with the Mixture of Porous Rice Starch and Xanthan Gum

Understanding regulating effects of protein-anionic octenyl succinic anhydride-modified starch interactions on the structural, rheological, digestibility and release properties of starch

BACKGROUND

Proteins and anionic octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)-modified starch (OSA-starch) are common ingredients in food systems. The interactions between OSA-starch and protein are found to alter the structural and functional properties of the protein-OSA-starch complexes. In this regard, the close understanding of the relationship among the molecular interactions between whey protein isolate (WPI) and OSA-high amylose corn starch (HAS), structure changes and rheological, digestibility and release properties of WPI-OSA-HAS was investigated.

RESULTS

The molecular interactions of WPI-OSA-HAS were significant for increasing the surface rough, solubility, storage modulus and loss modulus, but decreasing the R1047/1022 values. For the nutritional evaluation, the anti-digestibility of WPI-OSA-HAS was enhanced with increased resistant starch + slowly digestible starch contents and decreased equilibrium hydrolysis percentage and kinetic constant. During the digestion, part of the starch granule, OSA groups and WPI were lost, but the loss was lower than for OSA-HAS. Furthermore, the results of curcumin-loaded WPI-OSA-HAS in simulated gastrointestinal fluids demonstrated that curcumin could be gradually released to simulate colonic fluid. Notably, the interaction between WPI and OSA-HAS depended on the WPI concentration with the stronger molecular interactions obtained at 35% concentration.

CONCLUSION

These results provided important information concerning how to adjust the rheological, anti-digestibility and release properties of WPI-OSA-HAS through altering the electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions of WPI-OSA-HAS. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Investigation of delivery mechanism of curcumin loaded in a core of zein with a double-layer shell of chitosan and alginate

The pursuit of efficient drug delivery systems has led to innovative approaches such as matrix and core-shell structures. This study explores these systems with a focus on enhancing the delivery and stability of curcumin, a bioactive compound with therapeutic potential. Matrix systems using zein protein were fabricated through coaxial airflow extrusion with a vibration generator, while core-shell systems were produced using concentric nozzles. Double-layer reservoir systems were also formed by coating chitosan-shelled structures with an alginate solution. Encapsulation of curcumin within each system was confirmed through FTIR and optical microscope analysis, followed by efficiency evaluation, which was measured approximately 86.5 ± 0.7 % for the matrix systems and 90 ± 0.8 % for the core-shell systems. Moreover, the particle sizes of matrix systems were measured in the range of 2000-2100 mμ and the particle sizes of single-layer and double-layer reservoir systems were in the ranges of 1600-1700 mμ and 1500-1700 mμ, respectively. The study investigated the stability of curcumin in these systems under various environmental conditions, including exposure to light, heat, pH variations, ions, and storage. Results demonstrated that the presence of multiple layers significantly enhanced the drug's stability. Afterwards, swelling and drug release profiles were assessed in simulated gastric, intestinal, and colon fluids. The swelling of the matrix, single-layer and double-layer reservoir systems after 29 h were 127.4 %, 146.9 % and 144 %, respectively. The matrix system showed 68.7 % drug release after 29 h, whereas single-layer chitosan-shelled and double-layer chitosan/alginate-shelled reservoir systems released 51.8 % and 45.6 % of the drug, respectively. The release mechanism was explored using zero-order, Korsmeyer-Peppas, and Kopcha kinetic models. Comparative analysis of the experimental results and model fittings indicated a deviation from Fickian diffusion, with erosion becoming more pronounced with each additional layer. In conclusion, the system with a zein core and double-layer chitosan/alginate shell displayed effective drug release regulation and enhanced stability of curcumin, making it a promising candidate for efficient drug delivery.

Porous Starch-inulin Loaded Quercetin Microcapsules: Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, in-vitro Release, and Storage Stability

Quercetin (Q) has many potential health benefits, but its low stability limits its use in functional foods and pharmaceuticals. The low stability of quercetin is a challenge that needs to be addressed to fully realize its therapeutic potential. The purpose of this study was therefore to design a proper carrier based on porous starch (PS) and inulin (IN) in order to improve the stability of Q. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images denoted that the Q molecules were adsorbed in the PS pores and partially adhered to the surface of the granules. Both types of the wall material could remarkably enhance the protection of Q against thermal and light degradation. The retention index of Q under different environmental conditions was higher for the PS:IN-Q than PS-Q. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed that Q interacted with the wall materials through non-covalent bonds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) also confirmed the encapsulation of Q in the wall materials. The bonding between Q and the hydrogen groups of starch compacted the crystalline regions and increased the relative crystallinity in PS-Q and PS:IN-Q. The DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities of the microcapsules containing the PS and IN were higher than those of free Q. Examination of the in-vitro release profile indicated that the Q release rate was lower from the PS:IN-Q microcapsules (21.6%) than from the PS-Q ones (33.7%). Our findings highlight the significant potential of this novel biopolymer mixture (PS/IN) as a promising wall material for the protection and delivery of bioactive compounds.

The application of encapsulation technology in the food Industry: Classifications, recent Advances, and perspectives

Encapsulation technology has been extensively used to enhance the stability, specificity, and bioavailability of essential food ingredients. Additionally, it plays a vital role in improving product quality and reducing production costs. This study presents a comprehensive classification of encapsulation techniques based on the state of different cores (solid, liquid, and gaseous) and offers a detailed description and analysis of these encapsulation methods. Specifically, it introduces the diverse applications of encapsulation technology in food, encompassing areas such as antioxidant, protein activity, physical stability, controlled release, delivery, antibacterial, and probiotics. The potential impact of encapsulation technology is expected to make encapsulation technology a major process and research hotspot in the food industry. Future research directions include applications of encapsulation for enzymes, microencapsulation of biosensors, and novel technologies such as self-assembly. This study provides a valuable theoretical reference for the in-depth research and wide application of encapsulation technology in the food industry.

Assessing Impact of Cooking Methods on the Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Instant Fortified Rice Congee for the Elderly

Instant rice congee (IRC) fortified with functional ingredients is designed for supplementation in nourishing the elderly. In this study, collagen peptide and curcumin were fortified in IRC to improve antioxidant and protein content. Different cooking methods were used to prepare rice congee in order to retain the nutritional content of instant fortified rice congee (IFRC). The effect of cooking methods on IFRC were investigated in this study using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). As for cooking methods, the steaming method (IFRC-S) exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC) at 36.13 ± 5.63 mg GAE/g sample; a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value of 6.39 ± 0.24 mg TE/g sample and protein content at 52.20 ± 6.48%. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the texture analysis of hardness, cohesiveness and viscosity between the different cooking methods. However, the boiling method (IFRC-B) showed the highest adhesiveness, at -58.78 ± 11.55 g/s. IFRC with different cooking methods also had no significant differences (p > 0.05) in bulk density, volume expansion and the water absorption index. In sensory analysis, it was found that there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) detected in attribute colour, odour, taste, texture and overall acceptability between each cooking method. This study is particularly useful for gaining a preliminary understanding of the development of IRC focused on the elderly.

Preparation of Sweet Potato Porous Starch by Marine Dextranase and Its Adsorption Characteristics

Dextranase (EC 3.2.1.11) is primarily applied in food, sugar, and pharmaceutical industries. This study focuses on using a cold shock Escherichia coli expression system to express marine dextranase SP5-Badex; enzyme activity increased about 2.2-fold compared to previous expression. This enzyme was employed to produce sweet potato porous starch, with special emphasis on the pore size of the starch. The water and oil adsorption rates of the porous starch increased by 1.43 and 1.51 times, respectively. Extensive Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed that the crystal structure of the sweet potato starch was unaltered by enzymatic hydrolysis. The adsorption capacities of the porous starch for curcumin and proanthocyanidins were 9.59 and 12.29 mg/g, respectively. Notably, the stability of proanthocyanidins was significantly enhanced through their encapsulation in porous starch. After 2.5 h of ultraviolet irradiation, the free radical scavenging rate of the encapsulated proanthocyanidins remained at 95.10%. Additionally, after 30 days of sunlight exposure, the free radical scavenging rate of the encapsulated proanthocyanidins (84.42%) was significantly higher than that (24.34%) observed in the control group. These research findings provide substantial experimental evidence for preparing sweet potato porous starch using marine dextranase.

Modified porous starches loading curcumin and improving the free radical scavenging ability and release properties of curcumin

Maize porous starch-curcumin microspheres were prepared by encapsulating curcumin into cross-linked porous starch and oxidized porous starch to investigate the effect of modified porous starch in embedding and protecting curcumin. The morphology and physicochemical properties of microspheres were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction, Zeta/DLS, Thermal stability, and antioxidant activity; the release of curcumin was evaluated with a simulated gastric-intestine model. The FT-IR results revealed that curcumin was amorphously encapsulated in the composite and hydrogen bond formation between starch and curcumin was one of the major driving forces for encapsulation. Microspheres increased the initial decomposition temperature of curcumin, which has a protective effect on curcumin. Modification improved the encapsulation efficiency and the scavenging free radical ability of porous starch. The release mechanism of curcumin from microspheres fits first-order and Higuchi models well in gastric and intestinal models, respectively, indicating that encapsulation of curcumin within different porous starches microspheres enables controlled release of curcumin. To recapitulate, two different modified porous starch microspheres improved the drug loading, slow release and free radical scavenging effects of curcumin. Among them, the cross-linked porous starch microspheres had higher encapsulation and slow release ability for curcumin than the oxidized porous starch microspheres. It provides theoretical significance and data basis for the encapsulation of active substances by modified porous starch.

Improved protective and controlled releasing effect of fish oil microcapsules with rice bran protein fibrils and xanthan gum as wall materials

This study aimed to prepare fish oil microcapsules by freeze-drying an emulsion co-stabilized by rice bran protein fibrils (RBPFs) and xanthan gum (XG) to improve the oxidation stability and controlled release effect. Emulsions stabilized either solely by RBPFs or unfibrillated rice bran protein (RBP) or by a combination of RBP and XG were also fabricated as microcapsule templates for comparison. The rheological properties, particle size, and zeta potential of the emulsions were examined. In addition, the characteristics of the fish oil microcapsules such as surface oil content, encapsulation efficiency, water activity, moisture content, morphological structure, oxidation stability, and digestive performance were also assessed. The rheological properties revealed that the addition of XG increased the storage modulus of the emulsion and reduced the loss modulus and apparent viscosity. At shear rates of 0-100 s^-1, the fish oil emulsion did not exhibit any gel properties or shear thinning. Fibrillation increased the particle size of the fish oil emulsion, whereas adding XG reduced the droplet size. The combination of RBP fibrillation and XG addition provided the highest encapsulation efficiency for fish oil. Fibrillation reduced the water activity and moisture content of the fish oil microcapsules. The anisotropy of the fibrils and the high viscosity of XG produced a layer of wrapping on the continuous heterogeneous surface of the freeze-dried powder particles. RBPF/XG microcapsules stored at 45 °C for 1 month had the lowest peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid value, the lowest surface oil content, and the lightest yellowness. These results suggest that the combination of RBPFs and XG provides better encapsulation and protective effects for fish oil microcapsules. Upon simulated digestion, the microcapsules containing XG and RBPFs exhibited a more favorable controlled release of free fatty acids. These findings indicate that microcapsules formed from emulsions co-stabilized by XG and RBPFs are suitable for encapsulating fish oil in functional foods.

Novel active starch films incorporating tea polyphenols-loaded porous starch as food packaging materials

A novel active food packaging film was developed by casting a corn starch/tea polyphenol (TP)-loaded porous starch (PS, obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis) film forming solution, with the latter helping to regulate the slow release of TP. Results showed that PS had a favorable TP adsorption capacity, and the casted films had a homogeneous distribution of the formulation components. Likewise, the active films had good mechanical properties, UV barrier properties, thermal stability, and excellent antioxidant properties. The slow release of TP from the films was sustained, which is a desired characteristic for extending the protection afforded by the active film to the food under consideration.

Preparation and Characterization of Semi-IPN Cryogels Based on Polyacrylamide and Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate); Functionalization of Carrier with Monochlorotriazinyl-β-cyclodextrin and Release Kinetics of Curcumin

Curcumin (CCM) is a natural hydrophobic polyphenol known for its numerous applications in the food industry as a colorant or jelly stabilizer, and in the pharmaceutical industry due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-Alzheimer properties. However, the large application of CCM is limited by its poor solubility in water and low stability. To enhance the bioavailability of CCM, and to protect it against the external degradation agents, a novel strategy, which consists in the preparation of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks, (s-IPNs) based on poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) entrapped in poly(acrylamide) networks, by a cryogelation technique, was developed in this work. All s-IPN cryogels were characterized by SEM, EDX, FTIR, and swelling at equilibrium as a function of pH. Functionalization of semi-IPN cryogel with monochlorotriazinyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCT-β-CD) led to IPN cryogel. The release profile of CCM from the composite cryogels was investigated at 37 °C, in pH 3. It was found that the cumulative release increased with the increase of the carrier hydrophobicity, as a result of increasing the cross-linking degree, the content and the molar mass of PDMAEMA. Fitting Higuchi, Korsmeyer–Peppas, and first order kinetic models on the CCM release profiles indicated the diffusion as the main driving force of drug release from the composite cryogels.