Chitosan Hydrogel Beads Functionalized with Thymol-Loaded Solid Lipid⁻Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Food Science

Background:

• Development of advanced materials for controlled release applications.
• Need for effective antibacterial strategies to improve food safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize novel nanoparticles-hydrogel nanocomposites.
• To optimize the conjugation process for solid lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (SLPN) onto chitosan beads.
• To evaluate the potential of these nanocomposites as a controlled-release antibacterial system for food applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of SLPN via coating bovine serum albumin (BSA)-emulsified solid lipid nanoparticles with oxidized dextran.
• Conjugation of SLPN onto chitosan hydrogel beads using Schiff base linkage.
• Optimization of bead dosage and incubation duration for conjugation efficiency.
• Characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
• Encapsulation and in vitro release study of thymol as a model antibacterial agent.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared spherical nanoparticles-hydrogel nanocomposites with homogeneous size distribution.
• Confirmed successful conjugation of SLPN onto chitosan beads.
• Optimized formulation achieved with 200 beads and 30–90 min incubation.
• Demonstrated sustained release profile of thymol from the optimized nanocomposites.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanoparticles-hydrogel nanocomposites are effective for controlled release of antibacterial agents.
• This technology shows significant potential for enhancing food safety through improved antibacterial delivery.
• The study presents a proof-of-concept for multifunctional nanocomposites in food preservation.