Casein/pectin nanocomplexes as potential oral delivery vehicles.

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Biomaterials Science
• Pharmaceutics

Background:

• Natural biopolymers are increasingly explored for advanced delivery systems.
• Sodium caseinate (NaCas) and pectin are widely available food-grade biopolymers.
• Developing effective oral delivery vehicles is crucial for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize sodium caseinate-pectin nanocomplexes for oral delivery.
• To investigate the impact of biopolymer ratios and thermal treatment on nanocomplex properties.
• To evaluate the encapsulation and controlled release capabilities of rutin as a model compound.

Main Methods:

• Nanocomplexes prepared via acidification with glucono-δ-lactone and thermal treatment.
• Varied sodium caseinate/pectin mass ratios (1:1 optimal).
• Characterization of particle size, uniformity, turbidity, and rutin encapsulation efficiency.

Main Results:

• 1:1 NaCas/pectin ratio yielded smallest, most uniform nanocomplexes with low turbidity.
• Thermal treatment (85 °C, 30 min) produced stable, spherical nanocomplexes and enhanced rutin encapsulation.
• Pectin incorporation delayed NaCas hydrolysis and facilitated controlled rutin release in simulated intestinal conditions.

Conclusions:

• Sodium caseinate-pectin nanocomplexes are effective oral delivery vehicles.
• Optimized fabrication conditions yield stable particles with improved encapsulation and controlled release.
• These biopolymer-based systems hold potential for oral delivery of nutrients and pharmaceuticals.