Cold plasma-functionalized curcumin nanoformulation: stability, sustained release, and enhanced ADH/ALDH activity.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Curcumin's bioactivity is hindered by poor stability and inactivation following oral administration.
• Developing effective delivery systems is crucial for enhancing curcumin's therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize zein-fucoidan nanoparticles using cold plasma technology for improved curcumin encapsulation.
• To evaluate the impact of cold plasma treatment on nanoparticle characteristics and curcumin stability.

Main Methods:

• Zein-fucoidan nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin were synthesized via cold plasma technology.
• Nanoparticle characterization included particle size, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity.
• Interactions between zein, fucoidan, and curcumin were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Cold plasma treatment (80 W, 3 min) optimized bonding between zein, fucoidan, and curcumin.
• CP-zein-FU NPs demonstrated small particle size (133 nm), high surface charge (-37.36 mV), and enhanced stability.
• Encapsulation efficiency (86.14%) and loading (2.85%) were significantly improved, with enhanced interactions.

Conclusions:

• Cold plasma technology is effective for creating stable curcumin/zein-fucoidan nanoparticles.
• The developed nanoparticles enhance curcumin's stability in the gastrointestinal tract and ensure sustained release.
• This approach preserves curcumin's functional activity, offering a promising strategy for oral delivery.