Encapsulation Of Curcumin Research Articles

Selection and Control of Process Conditions Enable the Preparation of Curcumin-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles of Superior Performance.

Curcumin (CUR) is one natural bioactive compound acknowledged for diverse therapeutic activities, but its use is hindered by its poor bioavailability, fast metabolism, and susceptibility to pH variations and light exposure. Thus, the encapsulation in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), or PLGA, has been successfully used to protect and enhance CUR absorption in the organism, making CUR-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) promising drug delivery systems. However, few studies have focused beyond CUR bioavailability, on the environmental variables involved in the encapsulation process, and whether they could help obtain NPs of superior performance. Our study evaluated pH (3.0 or 7.0), temperature (15 or 35 °C), light exposure, and inert atmosphere (N2) incidence in the encapsulation of CUR. The best outcome was at pH 3.0, 15 °C, without light incidence, and without N2 usage. This best nanoformulation showed NP size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 297 nm, -21 mV, and 72%, respectively. Moreover, the CUR in vitro release at pH values 5.5 and 7.4 suggested different potential applications for these NPs, one of which was demonstrated by the effective inhibition of multiple bacteria (i.e., Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and multi-resistant) in the minimal inhibition concentration assay. Besides, statistical analyses confirmed a significant impact of temperature on the NP size; in addition, temperature, light, and N2 affected the EE of CUR. Thus, the selection and control of process variables resulted in higher CUR encapsulation and customizable outcomes, ultimately enabling more economical processes and providing future scale-up guidelines.

Redox-responsive microemulsion: Fabrication and application to curcumin encapsulation

HypothesisStimulus-responsive microemulsions have aroused significant attention because of their versatile and reversible switchability between stable and unstable states. However, most stimuli-responsive microemulsions are based on stimuli-responsive surfactants. We posit that the change in the hydrophilicity of a selenium-containing alcohol triggered by a mild redox reaction could also influence the stability of microemulsions and provide a new nanoplatform for the delivery of bioactive substances. ExperimentsA selenium-containing diol (3,3′-selenobis(propan-1-ol), PSeP) was designed and used as a co-surfactant in a microemulsion with ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil (HCO40), diethylene glycol monohexyl ether (DGME), 2-n-octyl-1-dodecanol (ODD) and water. The redox-induced transition in PSeP was characterized by 1H NMR, 77Se NMR, and MS. The redox-responsiveness of the ODD/HCO40/DGME/PSeP/water microemulsion was investigated through determination of a pseudo-ternary phase diagram, analysis by dynamic light scattering, and electrical conductivity, and its encapsulation performance was evaluated by determination of the solubility, stability, antioxidant activity, and skin penetrability of encapsulated curcumin. FindingsThe redox conversion of PSeP enabled efficient switching of ODD/HCO40/DGME/PSeP/water microemulsions. Addition of oxidant (H2O2), oxidized PSeP into more hydrophilic PSeP-Ox (selenoxide), disrupting the emulsifying capacity of the combination of HCO40/DGME/PSeP, markedly reducing the monophasic microemulsion region in the phase diagram, and inducing phase separation in some formulations. Addition of reductant (N2H4·H2O), reduced PSeP-Ox and restored the emulsifying capacity of the combination of HCO40/DGME/PSeP. In addition, PSeP-based microemulsions can significantly enhance the solubility in oil (by 23 times), stability, antioxidant capacity (DPPH∙ radical scavenging by 91.74 %), and skin penetrability of curcumin, showing clear potential for encapsulation and delivery of curcumin and other bioactive substances.

Synthesis and Micellization Behavior of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers of Poly(N-vinyl Pyrrolidone) and Poly(Benzyl Methacrylate): Block versus Statistical Copolymers.

Block copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and benzyl methacrylate (BzMA), PNVP-b-PBzMA, were prepared by RAFT polymerization techniques and sequential addition of monomers. The copolymers were characterized by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and NMR spectroscopy. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermogravimetry (DTG) were employed to study the thermal properties of these copolymers. The micellization behavior in THF, which is a selective solvent for the PBzMA blocks, was examined. For comparison the self-assembly properties of the corresponding statistical copolymers, PNVP-stat-PBzMA, were studied. In addition, the association behavior in aqueous solutions was analyzed for the block copolymers, PNVP-b-PBzMA. In this case, the solvent is selective for the PNVP blocks. Dilute solution viscometry, static (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were employed as the tools to investigate the micellar assemblies. The efficient encapsulation of the hydrophobic curcumin within the micellar core of the supramolecular structures in aqueous solutions was demonstrated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and DLS measurements.

Structure, interface properties and curcumin encapsulation of hogskin particles stabilized novel Pickering emulsions

Hogskin is a kind of natural and safe high-quality organic material, which can be used to prepare Pickering emulsion. However, its poor storage stability is a key technical problem that restricts its wide application. In this study, preparation and characterization of hogskin particles and stable hogskin Pickering emulsion were conducted, and the functional characteristics of curcumin embedding were also discussed. The results suggested that the Pickering emulsion had good storage stability within 2 months. Besides, diverse pH values and ionic strengths had little influence on the change in emulsion particle size, but zeta potential showed an opposite change trend. Observation under the microscopy showed that the hogskin particles were irreversibly adsorbed onto oil-water interface, and the emulsion exhibited shear thinning and elastic behaviors. After ultraviolet treatment for 7 h and storage for 8 days, curcumin exhibited a good retention rate in Pickering emulsion, and the final retention rate reached 87.54%.

Encapsulation of curcumin in alginate microbeads (AMB) for control release of curcumin

Encapsulation of curcumin in alginate microbeads (AMB) for control release of curcumin

One-Pot Self-Assembly of Core-Shell Nanoparticles within Fibers by Coaxial Electrospinning for Intestine-Targeted Delivery of Curcumin.

Nanotechniques for curcumin (Cur) encapsulation provided a potential capability to avoid limitations and improve biological activities in food and pharmaceutics. Different from multi-step encapsulation systems, in this study, zein-curcumin (Z-Cur) core-shell nanoparticles could be self-assembled within Eudragit S100 (ES100) fibers through one-pot coaxial electrospinning with Cur at an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 96% for ES100-zein-Cur (ES100-Z-Cur) and EE of 67% for self-assembled Z-Cur. The resulting structure realized the double protection of Cur by ES100 and zein, which provided both pH responsiveness and sustained release performances. The self-assembled Z-Cur nanoparticles released from fibermats were spherical (diameter 328 nm) and had a relatively uniform distribution (polydispersity index 0.62). The spherical structures of Z-Cur nanoparticles and Z-Cur nanoparticles loaded in ES100 fibermats could be observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) revealed that hydrophobic interactions occurred between the encapsulated Cur and zein, while Cur was amorphous (rather than in crystalline form). Loading in the fibermat could significantly enhance the photothermal stability of Cur. This novel one-pot system much more easily and efficiently combined nanoparticles and fibers together, offering inherent advantages such as step economy, operational simplicity, and synthetic efficiency. These core-shell biopolymer fibermats which incorporate Cur can be applied in pharmaceutical products toward the goals of sustainable and controllable intestine-targeted drug delivery.

Preparation technology and preservation mechanism of γ-CD-MOFs biaological packaging film loaded with curcumin

To prevent food spoilage caused by microbial infection, the development of an environmentally friendly antimicrobial preservation material is crucial. Here, the microporous γ-CD-MOFs was utilized to encapsulate the hydrophobic active substance curcumin, resulting in the preparation of a non-toxic antimicrobial material (Cur-CD-MOFs). The results revealed that curcumin encapsulation in Cur-CD-MOFs occurred primarily in the carbonyl group, benzene ring, and enolic side ring of curcumin. The Cur-CD-MOFs had a 100% bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at 4 h and 8 h, and a strong inhibitory effect on aerial mycelium of Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea. Furthermore, the incorporation of Cur-CD-MOFs improved the Pul/Tre film barrier and mechanical properties. The effectiveness of Cur-CD-MOFs-Pul/Tre in retaining fruit freshness was validated using Centennial Seedless grapes. This study confirmed that Cur-CD-MOFs is a promising antibacterial material, and Cur-CD-MOFs-Pul/Tre will be a potent candidate for food preservation.

Ensembles of carboxymethyl cyclodextrins on cationic liposomes as highly efficient nanocontainers for the delivery of hydrophobic compounds

The increase of payload is one of the key tasks in creation of nanocontainers for the delivery of bioactive substances (BAS). In this work the adsorption of anionic carboxymethyl cyclodextrins (CMCDs) on the surface of cationic liposomes was studied as mechanism of formation of capacious nanocontainers for the encapsulation and delivery of hydrophobic BAS. The formation and physico-chemical characteristics of complexes were studied by means of laser microelectrophoresis, dynamic light-scattering, conductometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). As a model, bioactive molecule hydrophobic curcumin was chosen for the investigation. The encapsulation of curcumin was controlled by UV–Vis spectrometry. Interaction of CMCDs/liposomes complexes with model cell membranes was visualized by fluorescent microscopy. Finally, cytotoxicity of nanocontainers was studied by MTT-test. It was estimated that colloid stable complexes with net positive charge could contain up to 2.5÷5 CMCD molecules per one cationic lipid. Incorporation of curcumin in CMCDs does not change the character of interaction of oligosaccharides with liposomal membranes of individual liposome. CMCDs/liposomes complexes adsorb on model cell membranes without significant loss of CMCD molecules. This fact in addition to low cytotoxicity of cationic CMCDs/liposomes complexes demonstrates potential of their application as nanovehicles for the delivery of BAS.

Preparation and characterization of dextran-zein-curcumin nanoconjugate for enhancement of curcumin bioactivity

Curcumin is one of the most important polyphenolic nutrients in pharmaceutical industries. Unfortunately, its poor solubility and bioavailability have hampered its clinical application. To improve curcumin solubility and bioavailability, a natural nanocarrier made from protein-polysaccharide conjugate has been developed. Following antisolvent precipitation method, zein (Z) nanoparticles coated with dextran sulphate (DS) have been fabricated as curcumin (C) nanocarrier (DSZCNPs). The physicochemical properties of the nanoconjugate were measured using different techniques. Morphologically, DSZCNPs appeared spherical and monodispersed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images. Curcumin encapsulation efficiency was ≈ 96%. DSZCNPs size was 180 nm and the polydispersity index value (PDI) 0.28. Zeta potential for DSZCNPs was −28.5 mV. DSZCNPs showed stability either for shelf storage (100 days) or at different pHs. Furthermore, DSZCNPs protected zein nanoparticles degradation in gastric environment and achieved controlled curcumin release in intestinal environment. DSZCNPs greatly enhanced the antioxidant activity of curcumin as demonstrated by DPPH assay. DSZCNPs had significant results in the reduction of colony forming unit (CFU%) against the tested microbes when compared with free curcumin. Also, the anticancer activity of DSZCNPs and free curcumin against hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) were assessed by MTT assay. IC50 for DSZCNPs was 13 µg/ml compared to 50 µg/ml for free curcumin indicating the therapeutic impact of DSZCNPs over free curcumin. Based on the above results, the developed zein-dextran nanocomplex exhibited high stability and improved the efficacy and bioactivity of curcumin suggesting its potential utility as nanovehicle for the hydrophobic drug curcumin.

Solubilization mechanism of self-assembled walnut protein nanoparticles and curcumin encapsulation.

Native walnut protein is an alkali-soluble protein that seriously limits the application of walnut protein. The pH-shifting method could improve the solubility of walnut proteins and enable the encapsulation of active ingredients. The present study aimed to prepare water-soluble nanoparticles of curcumin using walnut protein and evaluate the process of walnut protein self-assembly, interaction between walnut protein and curcumin, encapsulation properties, and stability of nanoparticles. The solubility of native walnut protein was poor, but the solubility of walnut protein nanoparticles (WPNP) formed by walnut protein after pH-shifting significantly improved to 91.5 ± 1.2%. This is because, during the process of pH changing from 7 to 12 and back to 7, walnut protein first unfolded under alkaline conditions and then refolded under pH drive, finally forming an internal hydrophobic and external hydrophilic shell-core structures. The quenching type of walnut protein and curcumin was static quenching, and the quenching constant was 2.0 × 1014 mol-1 L-1 s-1 , indicating that the interaction between walnut protein and curcumin was non-covalent. Adding curcumin resulted in the formation of nanoparticles with small particle size compared with the no-load. The loading capacity of curcumin-loaded walnut protein nanoparticles (WPNP-C) was 222 mg g-1 walnut protein isolate. Under the same mass, the curcumin equivalent concentration in aqueous solution of WPNP-C was 17 000 times higher than that of the native curcumin. The solubility of the self-assembled WPNP significantly increased after pH-shifting treatment. The walnut protein carrier could improve the stability of the encapsulated curcumin. Therefore, walnut proteins could be used as water-soluble carriers for hydrophobic drugs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Modified porous starches loading curcumin and improving the free radical scavenging ability and release properties of curcumin

Maize porous starch-curcumin microspheres were prepared by encapsulating curcumin into cross-linked porous starch and oxidized porous starch to investigate the effect of modified porous starch in embedding and protecting curcumin. The morphology and physicochemical properties of microspheres were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction, Zeta/DLS, Thermal stability, and antioxidant activity; the release of curcumin was evaluated with a simulated gastric-intestine model. The FT-IR results revealed that curcumin was amorphously encapsulated in the composite and hydrogen bond formation between starch and curcumin was one of the major driving forces for encapsulation. Microspheres increased the initial decomposition temperature of curcumin, which has a protective effect on curcumin. Modification improved the encapsulation efficiency and the scavenging free radical ability of porous starch. The release mechanism of curcumin from microspheres fits first-order and Higuchi models well in gastric and intestinal models, respectively, indicating that encapsulation of curcumin within different porous starches microspheres enables controlled release of curcumin. To recapitulate, two different modified porous starch microspheres improved the drug loading, slow release and free radical scavenging effects of curcumin. Among them, the cross-linked porous starch microspheres had higher encapsulation and slow release ability for curcumin than the oxidized porous starch microspheres. It provides theoretical significance and data basis for the encapsulation of active substances by modified porous starch.

Preparation and characterization of curcumin-loaded debranched starch/Mesona chinensis polysaccharide microcapsules: Loading levels and in vitro release

Curcumin has been shown a variety of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. However, its poor water solubility and chemical instability limit the scope of its application. In the present work, a novel debranched waxy maize starch (DWMS)/Mesona chinensis polysaccharide (MCP) complex wall material was developed to encapsulate curcumin, and the structural properties and in vitro release behaviors of microcapsules were evaluated. Rheological results showed that encapsulation of curcumin significantly reduced the dynamic modulus (G′ and G″) of the system. Particle size (from 1283.0 nm to 970.2 nm) and zeta potential (from −13.8 mV to −41.7 mV) of microcapsules decreased with the increase of MCP concentration in the wall material. DWMS, MCP, and Cur interacted through hydrogen bonding to form Cur-loaded microcapsules as FT-IR and XRD results demonstrated. Furthermore, the encapsulation efficiency of curcumin in DWMS-MCP microcapsules reached up to 63.2% when the MCP concentration was 2%. The antioxidant activity of the microcapsules was enhanced with the increase of MCP, which may be attributed to the increase of encapsulation efficiency and the intrinsic antioxidant activity of MCP. The in vitro release results proved that all microcapsules achieved sustained release in both intestinal and gastric fluids.

Design of Innovative Biocompatible Cellulose Nanostructures for the Delivery and Sustained Release of Curcumin

Poor aqueous solubility, stability and bioavailability of interesting bioactive compounds is a challenge in the development of bioactive formulations. Cellulose nanostructures are promising and sustainable carriers with unique features that may be used in enabling delivery strategies. In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and cellulose nanofibers were investigated as carriers for the delivery of curcumin, a model liposoluble compound. Nanocellulose modification with the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), tannic acid and decylamine (TADA), and by TEMPO-mediated oxidation were also tested and compared. The carrier materials were characterized in terms of structural properties and surface charge, while the delivery systems were evaluated for their encapsulation and release properties. The release profile was assessed in conditions that mimic the gastric and intestinal fluids, and cytotoxicity studies were performed in intestinal cells to confirm safe application. Modification with CTAB and TADA resulted in high curcumin encapsulation efficiencies of 90 and 99%, respectively. While no curcumin was released from TADA-modified nanocellulose in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, CNC-CTAB allowed for a curcumin-sustained release of ca. 50% over 8 h. Furthermore, the CNC-CTAB delivery system showed no cytotoxic effects on Caco-2 intestinal cells up to 0.125 g/L, meaning that up to this concentration the system is safe to use. Overall, the use of the delivery systems allowed for the reduction in the cytotoxicity associated with higher curcumin concentrations, highlighting the potential of nanocellulose encapsulation systems.

LCST-mediated phase separation strategy for preparation of poly(amino alcohol ethers) microparticle-gelatin hydrogel composites

In this study, we report a facile two-step strategy to aid the preparation of microparticle-hydrogel composites. By leveraging amine-epoxy “click” chemistry, in combination with lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-mediated phase separation phenomenon of the in situ formed poly(amino alcohol ethers) (TP) prepolymer in water, as well as integration of gelatin, a series of poly(amino alcohol ethers) microparticle-gelatin hydrogel (TGP) composites can be readily prepared through the simultaneous preparation of bulk hydrogel network and microparticles. Our strategy allows easy tuning of microstructures and mechanics, as well as degradation properties of the obtained TGP composites through varying the volume ratio of TP prepolymer solution and gelatin solution. Moreover, applicability of such TGP composites to modulate cell response was demonstrated in vitro with NIH3T3 fibroblasts and chicken primary neurons. Furthermore, with hydrophobic domains in microparticles, such TGP composites are also feasible to tailor anti-inflammatory effect via curcumin encapsulation. Altogether, this study provides new insights into the design strategy to achieve microparticle-hydrogel composites to warrant consideration for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications.

Gastrointestinal pH-Sensitive Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Zein Nanoparticles Coated with Bioactive Glycyrrhizic Acid for Improving Oral Bioaccessibility of Curcumin.

Pickering emulsions have received considerable attention for their stability and functionality. Environmentally responsive Pickering emulsions could be used as vehicles for oral administration. However, challenges still exist, such as nonbiocompatibility of emulsifier and mismatched response behavior in the gastrointestinal environment. In this study, a strategy was proposed that bioactive saponin glycyrrhizic acid (GA) was used as a pH-responsive substance to functionalize zein nanoparticles, and tannic acid (TA) was used as a primer for cross-linking GA and zein nanoparticles. The Pickering emulsions fabricated by zein/TA/GA nanoparticles (ZTGs) exhibited excellent stability at acid conditions while slowly demulsifying at neutral conditions, which can be further used as an intestine-targeted delivery system. Curcumin was encapsulated into ZTG-stabilized Pickering emulsions, and the encapsulation efficiency results suggested that the presence of GA coating remarkably facilitated the encapsulation of curcumin. An in vitro digestion study suggested that ZTGs provided protection for emulsions from pepsin hydrolysis and exhibited higher free fatty acid release as well as higher bioaccessibility of curcumin during simulated intestine digestion. This study provides an effective strategy to prepare pH-responsive Pickering emulsions for improving the oral bioaccessibility of hydrophobic nutraceuticals.

Impact of active sites on encapsulation of curcumin in Metal Organic Frameworks

In this study, we present the investigation of the curcumin loading and release properties of four different Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with varying metal centres and organic ligands. Through our research, we have identified HKUST-1 and MIL-100, highly porous copper and iron-containing MOFs, that exhibit specific interactions with curcumin, leading to high encapsulation efficiencies (55%–75%) even at low concentrations as 6 ppm. The binding modes of curcumin onto MOFs have been investigated using a combined experimental and computational approach. Furthermore, our drug-releasing studies have revealed slow and prolonged release for over two days, which further indicates the specific interactions of curcumin with HKUST-1 and MIL-100. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparative study that investigates the drug delivery properties of curcumin using Copper, Ferrous, and Zinc MOFs. Our findings pave the way for the development of stable, highly interactive MOFs as drug carriers for curcumin, which has the potential to overcome its poor aqueous solubility and rapid metabolism, and enhance its pharmacological activities in medicine.

Membrane-assisted core-shell entrapment technique as a powerful tool for curcumin encapsulation

Membrane-assisted core-shell entrapment technique as a powerful tool for curcumin encapsulation

Curcumin-Loaded PnBA-b-POEGA Nanoformulations: A Study of Drug-Polymer Interactions and Release Behavior.

The current study focuses on the development of innovative and highly-stable curcumin (CUR)-based therapeutics by encapsulating CUR in biocompatible poly(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate) (PnBA-b-POEGA) micelles. State-of-the-art methods were used to investigate the encapsulation of CUR in PnBA-b-POEGA micelles and the potential of ultrasound to enhance the release of encapsulated CUR. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopies confirmed the successful encapsulation of CUR within the hydrophobic domains of the copolymers, resulting in the formation of distinct and robust drug/polymer nanostructures. The exceptional stability of the CUR-loaded PnBA-b-POEGA nanocarriers over a period of 210 days was also demonstrated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy studies. A comprehensive 2D NMR characterization of the CUR-loaded nanocarriers authenticated the presence of CUR within the micelles, and unveiled the intricate nature of the drug-polymer intermolecular interactions. The UV-Vis results also indicated high encapsulation efficiency values for the CUR-loaded nanocarriers and revealed a significant influence of ultrasound on the release profile of CUR. The present research provides new understanding of the encapsulation and release mechanisms of CUR within biocompatible diblock copolymers and has significant implications for the advancement of safe and effective CUR-based therapeutics.

Observation of curcumin-encapsulated Pickering emulsion stabilized by cellulose nanocrystals-whey protein isolate (CNCs-WPI) complex under in vitro lipid digestion through INFOGEST model

Curcumin-encapsulated Pickering emulsion (Cur-PE) was successfully prepared using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs)-whey protein isolate (WPI) complex as a stabilizer to control the size and stability of the Cur-PE. Firstly, needle-like CNCs were prepared by acid hydrolysis, and the mean particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and aspect ratio of the CNCs were 100.7 nm, 0.32, −43.6 mV, and 20.8, respectively. The Cur-PE-C0.5W0.1, prepared with 0.5 wt% CNCs and 0.1 wt% WPI at pH 2, had a mean droplet size of 230.0 nm, PDI of 0.275, and zeta potential of +53.5 mV. The Cur-PE-C0.5W0.1 prepared at pH 2 exhibited the highest stability during storage for 14 days. FE-SEM revealed that the droplets of the Cur-PE-C0.5W0.1 prepared at pH 2 were spherical and fully covered by CNCs. The adsorption of CNCs at the oil-water interface increases the encapsulation efficiency (89.4 %) of curcumin in the Cur-PE-C0.5W0.1 and protects curcumin from pepsin digestion in the gastric phase. However, the Cur-PE-C0.5W0.1 was sensitive to release curcumin in the intestine phase. The CNCs-WPI complex developed in this study could serve as a promising stabilizer to make Pickering emulsions stable at pH 2 for the encapsulation and delivery of curcumin to the expected target area.

Microfluidics Based Generation of Curcumin Loaded Microfibrous Mat against Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm by Photodynamic Therapy.

The rapid increase in multidrug resistant biofilm infections is a major concern for global health. A highly effective therapy is required for the treatment of biofilm related infections. In this study, curcumin loaded alginate microfibers were generated by using the microfluidic technique. In this strategy, alginate microfibers are used as a carrier for the encapsulation of curcumin and then are irradiated with blue light to assess the efficacy of a combined therapy (blue light + curcumin) against drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The advantage of utilizing photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the usage of a non-antibiotic mode to inactivate bacterial cells. In the presence of blue light, the curcumin loaded alginate microfibers have shown good eradication activity against biofilms formed by multidrug resistant S. aureus. We achieved different diameters of curcumin loaded alginate microfibers through manipulation of flow rates. The curcumin loaded microfibers were characterized for their size, morphology, and curcumin encapsulation. Further, the efficacy of these microfibers in the presence of blue light has been evaluated against biofilm forming S. aureus (NCIM 5718) through optical and electron microscopy. This study employs microfluidic techniques to obtain an efficacious and cost-effective microfibrous scaffold for controlled release of curcumin to treat biofilms in the presence of blue light.