Octenyl-succinylated inulin for the encapsulation and release of hydrophobic compounds

Octenyl-succinylated inulins (OSA-inulin) were synthesized in aqueous solutions using inulin with varying degrees of polymerization (DP). They were characterized using ¹H NMR and FTIR and their degrees of substitution were determined. All the samples formed micellar aggregates in aqueous solution above a critical aggregation concentration (CAC) and solubilized beta-carotene. The amount of beta carotene solubilized within the micelles ranged from 12 to 25 mg/g of OSA-inulin and depended on the inulin molar mass. Dynamic light scattering showed that the aggregates, with and without dissolved beta-carotene, were ∼10-15 nm in size and this was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy which also indicated that the micelles had a globular shape. OSA-inulin particles containing encapsulated beta-carotene were produced by freeze-drying. The encapsulated beta-carotene was not released from the freeze-dried particles when introduced into simulated gastric fluid at pH 2.5 but was readily released in simulated small intestinal fluid at pH 7. The results demonstrate the potential application of OSA-inulin in the encapsulation, dissolution and targeted delivery of hydrophobic drug molecules for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and medical applications.