Preparation and optimization of a novel microbead formulation to improve solubility and stability of curcumin

Curcumin is an active ingredient which is poorly water-soluble, leading to a low oral bioavailability. The aim of this research was to prepare a novel microbead formulation, and to solubilize, solidify, and improve storage stability of curcumin. Firstly, curcumin was solubilized with KolliphorTM RH40 and then microencapsulated by cross linking of sodium alginate with calcium chloride. A three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design was employed to acquire the optimum microbead formulation, namely the best entrapment efficiency and in vitro curcumin release. The independent variables were sodium alginate concentration, calcium chloride concentration, and the weight of curcumin solution, while the dependent variables were entrapment efficiency and in vitro curcumin release. The optimized microbead formulation was 2.06% sodium alginate, 24.33% calcium chloride, and 1.28 g curcumin solution (containing curcumin and RH40 with a ratio of 1:22, g/g). Results showed that high concentrations of sodium alginate and calcium chloride could increase the entrapment efficiency. In vitro curcumin release decreased with increasing of sodium alginate as well as decreasing of calcium chloride. In conclusion, the optimum microbead formulation increased the solubility of curcumin and enhanced its stability, and achieved a high entrapment efficiency and in vitro curcumin release.