Chitooligosaccharide-catechin conjugate loaded liposome using different stabilising agents: characteristics, stability, and bioactivities

Abstract

Aim To determine the optimum condition for preparing chitooligosaccharide-catechin conjugate (COS-CAT) liposomes using different stabilising agents. Methods COS-CAT liposomes (0.1–1%, w/v) were prepared using soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC) (50–200 mM) and glycerol or cholesterol (25–100 mg). Encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC), physicochemical characteristics, FTIR spectra, thermal stability, and structure of COS-CAT liposomes were assessed. Results COS-CAT loaded liposome stabilised by cholesterol (COS-CAT-CHO) showed higher stability as shown by the highest EE (76.81%) and LC (4.57%) and the lowest zeta potential (ZP) (−76.51 mV), polydispersity index (PDI) (0.2674) and releasing efficiency (RE) (53.54%) (p < 0.05). COS-CAT-CHO showed the highest retention and relative remaining bioactivities of COS-CAT under various conditions (p < 0.05). FTIR spectra revealed the interaction between the choline group of SPC and -OH groups of COS-CAT. Phase transition temperature of COS-CAT-CHO was shifted to 184 °C, which was higher than others (p < 0.05). Conclusion SPC and cholesterol-based liposome could be used as a promising vesicle for maintaining bioactivities of COS-CAT.