Polysaccharide-based delivery system for curcumin: Fabrication and characterization of carboxymethylated corn fiber gum/chitosan biopolymer particles

Abstract Polysaccharide-based biopolymer particles are known as biocompatible, sustainable and easy to be modified, and widely used in food and biomedical fields. In this study, a novel polysaccharide-based particle as curcumin (Cur) carrier was developed through self-assembly driven by electrostatic interactions between carboxymethylated corn fiber gum (CMCFG) and chitosan (Cs). Firstly, the chemical structure of synthesized CMCFG was characterized to prove successful carboxymethylation. Then Cur-loaded CMCFG/Cs particles (Cur-CMCsPs) with different mass ratios of CMCFG to Cs (1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1) were prepared and their particle size, zeta-potential, crystalline structure and micro-morphology were determined. Smaller particle size was observed when the mass ratio of CMCFG to Cs exceeded 1:1, among which the lowest hydrodynamic diameter was less than 300 nm, as uniform spherical particles. Furthermore, the highest encapsulation efficiency of the resulting Cur-CMCsPs surpassed 93% and the Cur loaded in particles showed the excellent photo/thermal stability. Besides, the particles could significantly improve the bioaccessibility of Cur reaching 74.94%. This study provides strategy support for suitably designing biopolymer particles as delivery vehicles of hydrophobic nutrients in food and biomedical fields.