Structural modification and functional improvement of starch nanoparticles using vacuum cold plasma.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) are promising biocompatible and biodegradable nanocarriers.
• Aggregation of native SNPs limits their practical applications and functionality.
• Developing stable and efficient nanocarriers is crucial for drug and food delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To modify starch nanoparticles (SNPs) using cold plasma (CP) treatment to improve their properties.
• To investigate the effects of oxygen and ammonia CP on SNP characteristics.
• To evaluate the potential of modified SNPs as nanocarriers for cargo molecules.

Main Methods:

• Recrystallization of debranched waxy maize starch to obtain SNPs.
• Modification of SNPs using oxygen and ammonia vacuum cold plasma (CP).
• Characterization of modified SNPs using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), charge potential measurements, and particle size analysis.

Main Results:

• CP treatment introduced new carbonyl/carboxyl peaks (1720 cm⁻¹) in modified SNPs.
• Oxygen CP-treated SNPs exhibited negative surface charges (-21.6 to -15.1 mV).
• Modified SNPs showed improved dispersibility (75.94–159.72 nm diameter) with reduced aggregation and lower crystallinity (33.80%).
• Modified SNPs demonstrated enhanced absorption of tea polyphenols, indicating increased cargo capacity.

Conclusions:

• Cold plasma modification is a simple, green, and cost-effective method to enhance SNP properties.
• Modified SNPs exhibit improved stability, dispersibility, and cargo loading capacity compared to native SNPs.
• These enhanced starch nanoparticles hold significant potential as nanocarriers in the food and pharmaceutical industries for delivering active compounds.