Octenyl succinate anhydride debranched starch-based nanocarriers for curcumin with improved stability and antioxidant activity

Curcumin is a natural antioxidant with health benefits such as diabetes prevention. Curcumin is poorly soluble in water and sensitive to oxidation, preventing its absorption through the intestine and entry into blood circulation. In this study, nanoparticles composed of curcumin (CUR) and octenyl succinic anhydride-modified debranched starch (OSD) were prepared and characterized. OSD samples with three different degrees of substitution (DS) were selected as starch-based carriers for CUR. When the mass ratio of CUR:OSD was 1:40, particles formed by OSD and CUR exhibited smaller sizes (100–300 nm) and better encapsulation efficiencies and loading capacities than the other ratio of CUR:OSD. Hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between CUR and OSD were the major forces contributing to photochemical and thermal stability of CUR in the nanoparticles. Finally, stability and in vitro release experiments were conducted to examine the protective effect and applicability of OSD nanocarriers. The prepared nanoparticles showed sustained release of CUR with improved thermal stability, photostability, and antioxidant properties compared with free CUR. These nanoparticles may be useful as a CUR delivery system in the food industry.