Curcumin encapsulation in submicrometer spray-dried chitosan/Tween 20 particles

Biomacromolecules. 2012 Aug 13;13(8):2309-14. doi: 10.1021/bm300564v. Epub 2012 Jul 10.

Abstract

Optimal curcumin delivery for medicinal applications requires a drug delivery system that both solubilizes curcumin and prevents degradation. To achieve this, curcumin has been encapsulated in submicrometer chitosan/Tween 20 particles via a benchtop spray-drying process. Spray-drying parameters have been optimized using a Taguchi statistical approach to minimize particle size and to favor spheroid particles with smooth surfaces, as evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Nearly spherical particles with 285 ± 30 nm diameter and 1.21 axial ratio were achieved. Inclusion of curcumin in the spray-drying solution results in complete encapsulation of curcumin within the chitosan/Tween 20 particles. Release studies confirm that curcumin can be released completely from the particles over a 2 h period.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Curcumin / chemistry*
  • Detergents / chemistry*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Nanocapsules / chemistry*
  • Nanocapsules / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Polysorbates / chemistry*
  • Solubility
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Detergents
  • Nanocapsules
  • Polysorbates
  • Chitosan
  • Curcumin