Improving the Stability and Curcumin Retention Rate of Curcumin-Loaded Filled Hydrogel Prepared Using 4αGTase-Treated Rice Starch

Formation and Application of Starch-Polyphenol Complexes: Influencing Factors and Rapid Screening Based on Chemometrics

Understanding the nuanced interplay between plant polyphenols and starch could have significant implications. For example, it could lead to the development of tailor-made starches for specific applications, from bakinag and brewing to pharmaceuticals and bioplastics. In addition, this knowledge could contribute to the formulation of functional foods with lower glycemic indexes or improved nutrient delivery. Variations in the complexes can be attributed to differences in molecular weight, structure, and even the content of the polyphenols. In addition, the unique structural characteristics of starches, such as amylose/amylopectin ratio and crystalline density, also contribute to the observed effects. Processing conditions and methods will always alter the formation of complexes. As the type of starch/polyphenol can have a significant impact on the formation of the complex, the selection of suitable botanical sources of starch/polyphenols has become a focus. Spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics is a convenient and accurate method for rapidly identifying starches/polyphenols and screening for the desired botanical source. Understanding these relationships is crucial for optimizing starch-based systems in various applications, from food technology to pharmaceutical formulations.

Tailoring 3D-printed high internal phase emulsion-rice starch gels: Role of amylose in rheology and bioactive stability

This study investigated the properties of 3D-printed high internal phase emulsion (HIPE)-rice starch gels, specially tailored for personalized nutrition by co-encapsulating resveratrol and β-carotene. We examined the influence of amylose content on various parameters, including functional groups, linear and nonlinear rheology, printed precision and microstructural stability. Additionally, we assessed the protective efficacy and release in vitro digestion of these gels on the encapsulated bioactive components. Compared to HIPE, HIPE-starch gels differently impacted by amylose content in starches. Low-level amylose weakened the network structure, attributed to amylose mainly responsible for gel formation and weak hydrogen bond interaction between the surface-active molecules and amylose due to gelatinized starch granules rupturing the protein network. Oppositely, high-level amylose led to denser, more gel-like structures with enhanced mechanical strength and reversible deformation resistance, making them suitable for 3D printing. Furthermore, 3D-printed gels with high-level amylose demonstrated well-defined structures, smooth surfaces, stable printing and less dimension deviation. They were also regarded as effective entrapping and delivery systems for resveratrol and β-carotene, protecting them against degradation from environment and damage under the erosion of digestive fluid. Overall, this research offers a straightforward strategy for creating reduced-fat HIPE gels that serve as the carrier for personalized nutraceutical foods.

Sequential starch modification by branching enzyme and 4-α-glucanotransferase improves retention of curcumin in starch-alginate beads

A new super-branched amylopectin with longer exterior chains was produced from normal maize starch by modification with branching enzyme followed by 4-α-glucanotransferase, and applied for co-entrapment of a curcumin-loaded emulsion in alginate beads. The network structure of the gel beads was obtained with Ca2+-cross-linked alginate and a modest load of retrograded starch. The dual enzyme modified starch contained more and longer α-1,6-linked branch chains than single enzyme modified and unmodified starches and showed superior resistance to digestive enzymes. Alginate beads with or without starch were of similar size (1.69-1.74 mm), but curcumin retention was improved 1.4-2.8-fold in the presence of different starches. Thus, subjecting the curcumin-loaded beads to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion resulted in retention of 70, 43 and 22 % of the curcumin entrapped in the presence of modified, unmodified, or no starch, respectively. Molecular docking provided support for curcumin interacting with starch via hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic contacts and π-π stacking. The study highlights the potential of utilizing low concentration of dual-enzyme modified starch with alginate to create a versatile vehicle for controlled release and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds.

Next-Generation Hydrogels as Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications: Exploring the Role of Curcumin

Since the first report on the pharmacological activity of curcumin in 1949, enormous amounts of research have reported diverse activities for this natural polyphenol found in the dietary spice turmeric. However, curcumin has not yet been used for human application as an approved drug. The clinical translation of curcumin has been hampered due to its low solubility and bioavailability. The improvement in bioavailability and solubility of curcumin can be achieved by its formulation using drug delivery systems. Hydrogels with their biocompatibility and low toxicity effects have shown a substantial impact on the successful formulation of hydrophobic drugs for human clinical trials. This review focuses on hydrogel-based delivery systems for curcumin and describes its applications as anti-cancer as well as wound healing agents.

Influence of fish skin gelatin-sodium alginate complex stabilized emulsion on benzyl isothiocyanate stability and digestibility in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

An emulsion delivery system for benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was prepared using fish skin gelatin (FSG) and sodium alginate (Alg). The effects of the FSG-Alg complex on the emulsion stability and BITC release pattern from the emulsion were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The storage stability and embedding rate of the 10 g kg^-1 FSG and 2.5 g kg^-1 Alg (FSG-Alg) emulsion were the highest among all samples. The FSG-Alg complex provided BITC a better protection during in vitro digestion. The microstructure of the FSG-Alg emulsions was more stable during in vitro digestion, and the bioaccessibility and retention rate of BITC were much higher compared to those of the FSG emulsion. The results of the ex vivo everted gut sac of rat intestine study showed that the FSG-Alg emulsion significantly increased the BITC absorption rate in the duodenum.

CONCLUSION

The FSG-Alg emulsion delivery system is a highly stable system for the delivery of BITC that improves the bioaccessibility of BITC and promotes its absorption in the duodenum. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

A novel multifunctional Salecan/κ-carrageenan composite hydrogel with anti-freezing properties: Advanced rheology, thermal analysis and model fitting

The multifunctional hydrogels (HGs) have attracted intensive concern in biomedicine, food, and flexible devices. Nevertheless, chemically crosslinked synthetic HGs are commonly under specific restrictions because of their possible biotoxicity. This study focuses on the employment of physical approaches to prepare novel Salecan/κ-carrageenan composites HGs (CHGs) without changing their basic structures. Comprehensive rheological and thermal studies have been performed to investigate their distinctive properties. The data obtained from the tests and model fitting confirmed that the highest activation energy of CHGs was 172,142.2 J/mol, and the maximum equilibrium creep compliance was 0.0085 1/Pa. The sample recovery rate could reach 92.6%, while the anti-freezing temperature can be as low as -20 °C. It is the first report focusing on novel CHGs made from Salecan and κ-carrageenan with ideal anti-freezing ability, enhanced thermostability, good injectability, self-recovery, and other rheological properties that will provide effective support for various future applications.

Curcumin-Loaded Pickering Emulsion Formed by Ultrasound and Stabilized by Metal Organic Framework Optimization

The ultrasound-assisted preparation of a curcumin-loaded metal organic framework (MOF) UiO-66-NH₂ stabilized Pickering emulsion system was carried out in this study. A 3-level-4-factor Box–Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) analysis were employed to systematically evaluate the effect of different experimental parameters (i.e., ultrasonic power, ultrasonic time, oil content, and MOF content) on curcumin loading capacity (LC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The results indicated that ultrasonic power and MOF content significantly affected LC and EE, whereas ultrasonic time and oil content had little effect. A mathematical model for optimizing the preparation of emulsion systems was established. Based on the ridge max analysis, an optimal condition for the newly developed curcumin-loaded MOF-Pickering emulsion was identified, i.e., ultrasonic power 150 W, ultrasonic time 11.17 min, oil content 20.0%, and MOF content 1.10%. At this condition, the LC and EE of curcumin obtained from the experiment reached 7.33% ± 0.54% and 56.18% ± 3.03%, respectively, which were within the prediction range of LC (7.35% ± 0.29%) and EE (54.34% ± 2.45%). The emulsion systems created in this study may find new applications for the delivery of bioactive compounds in food and pharmaceutical areas.