Abstract: In this study, curcumin(Cur), zein and ammonium oxalate-soluble pectin(AOP) were used as materials for preparing curcumin-loaded zein/AOP(Cur-loaded zein/AOP) complex nanoparticles by the anti-solvent precipitation method and electrostatic interactions to investigate their physicochemical properties and in vitro digestive characteristics. The results showed that the nanoparticles were irregularly spherical with an average particle size of 159.90 nm, a polymer dispersity index(PDI) of 0.203, and a zeta potential of -33.66 mV at a mass ratio of 4:1 between Cur-loaded zein and AOP. Electrostatic, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions are the main drivers of Cur-loaded zein/AOP nanoparticle formation and Cur encapsulation. Compared to Cur-loaded zein nanoparticles, Cur-loaded zein/AOP complex nanoparticles are characterized by better pH stability, ionic strength stability, thermal stability and anti-oxidant properties. In addition, Cur-loaded zein/AOP complex nanoparticles have a sustained release effect on Cur delivery, and the digestion release ratio was only 52.67%.
Keywords: ammonium oxalate-soluble pectin(AOP); zein; curcumin; nanoparticles; stability