Alkyl gallate derived magnetic clusters and photothermal controlled release lipid carrier

Abstract

In this study, hydrophobic driving formation of Fe3O4 nanoparticle clusters for photothermal controlled release was developed employing alkyl gallate. The identities and structures of the clustered Fe3O4 nanoparticles were investigated by FT-IR and SEM. The light absorption spectra unveiled strong absorption of Fe3O4 NP clusters from UV to NIR region (200–1424 nm). Incorporation of Fe3O4 nanoparticle clusters into a temperature-sensitive cocoa butter carrier realized efficient photothermal controlled release of the loaded curcumin under near-infrared (808 nm) irradiation. The strong photothermal effect could be attributed to the small absorption band gap of the Fe3O4 nanoparticle clusters owing to the π conjugation enlargement effect of alkyl gallates. Further investigations in yeast cell model revealed good biocompatibility of the Fe3O4 nanoparticle clusters and validity of photothermal release treatment of oxidative stress. The established strategies of construction of magnetic clusters and solid lipid carrier will facilitate photothermal controlled release of bioactives in food industry.