Preparation, Characterization, and Induction of Cell Apoptosis of Cocoa Procyanidins‐Gelatin‐Chitosan Nanoparticles

Abstract

The objective of this study is to enhance the stability and bioactivity of cocoa procyanidins (CPs) by fabrication of CP‐sgelatin‐ chitosan nanoparticles. The CPs‐gelatin‐chitosan nanoparticles were fabricated by the self‐assembling method. Using CPs‐gelatin‐chitosan mass ratio of 0.75: 1: 0.5, the resultant nanoparticles had a particle size of 344.7 nm, zeta potential of +29.8 mV, particle yield of 51.4%, loading efficiency of 50.1% and loading capacity of 20.5%. The nanoparticles were spherical with a smooth surface as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) suggested that the primary interaction between the CPs and gelatin was hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction, while electrostatic interaction was the main binding force between the chitosan and CPs‐gelatin nanoparticles. Nanoencapsulation of the CPs significantly improved the stability of the CPs at 60 °C. The CPs‐gelatin‐chitosan nanoparticles showed the same apoptotic effects at lower concentrations in human acute monocytic leukemia THP‐1 cells compared with the CPs in solution.