Development of hollow kafirin-based nanoparticles fabricated through layer-by-layer assembly as delivery vehicles for curcumin

Abstract

In this study, curcumin-loaded kafirin solid and hollow nanoparticles were fabricated through electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of Dextran sulfate/Chitosan components using sodium carbonate as a sacrificing template for the hollow nanoparticles and their structural properties as well as their encapsulation and release properties were analyzed and compared. Hollow LbL kafirin nanoparticles had smaller diameters (around 60 nm) compared with LbL solid nanoparticles. Loading with curcumin had little effect on the particle size and zeta potential of both LbL hollow or LbL solid nanoparticles. TEM images clearly show the cavity inside hollow nanoparticles with light inner shade for the hollow part and dark shade for the shell. LbL hollow nanoparticles showed higher encapsulation efficiency for curcumin than LbL solid nanoparticles. Improved dissolution profiles in gastrointestinal tract was observed for curcumin after loading into hollow and solid LbL nanoparticles when compared with native curcumin; while the hollow structure of LbL nanoparticles displayed less release of curcumin compared to solid nanoparticles. This simultaneous fabrication of two types of LbL nanoparticles (solid and hollow) and comparison of their encapsulation and release properties has never been done before. This work is of practical importance for the selection and utilization of bio based kafirin nanoparticles as delivery vehicles for bioactive compounds.