Nano-encapsulation of curcumin using soy protein hydrolysates – tannic acid complexes regulated by photocatalysis: a study on the storage stability and in vitro release

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of soy protein hydrolysates (SPH)-tannic acid (TA) complex nanoparticle obtained by photocatalysis (SPH-T (P)) to construct curcumin (Cur) delivery vehicles.

Methods: The interaction behaviour of SPH-T (P) was investigated using Fourier transform infra-red, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter analyzes. Formation and stability of the complexes were characterised by particle size, morphology, zeta potential, and in vitro release.

Results: Negatively charged Cur-loaded complex with small size (<100 nm), spherical cluster shape and uniform size distribution were formed through the driving force of electrostatic attraction, followed by hydrogen bonding. The presence of photocatalysis in the complexes significantly improved the storage stability and in vitro sustained release of curcumin by enhancing the hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects and π–π stacking interactions between SPH and TA.

Conclusion: SPH-T (P) would be a useful and promising delivery vehicle for encapsulating, protecting, and delivering hydrophobic nutraceuticals.

Keywords:

• Soy protein hydrolysate
• tannic acid
• curcumin
• photocatalysis
• complex nanoparticle

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest for this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31601415), National Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong, China (No. 2016A030307022), Characteristic innovation project of Higher Education of Guangdong, China (No. 2016KTSCX082), the Major Programme of Lingnan Normal University (No. LZL1501), and Climbing Peak Programme of Guangdong, China (No. pdjh2019b0300).