Characterization of curcumin-loaded lecithin-chitosan bioactive nanoparticles

The encapsulation of curcumin into lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (NPC) using the electrostatic self-assembly technique was evaluated. NPC were characterized through average size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), morphology (TEM), encapsulation efficiency, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermal analyzes (TGA and DSC). The bioactive properties of NPC were determined by antioxidant (DPPH) and antimicrobial activities (against bacteria and fungi); the cytotoxic activity was performed through the MTT assay against normal and neoplastic cells. The stability of the NPC was evaluated for 28 days at 4 °C and 30 °C. NPC were spherical, with an average size of 236.27 ± 2.29 nm, PDI of 0.15 ± 0.01, Zeta potential of +51.31 ± 2.41 mV, and a high encapsulation rate (92.74 ± 0.01%). The nanoparticles showed high stability and excellent antimicrobial activity for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. NPC were also able to preserve the antioxidant activity of curcumin and showed moderate cytotoxicity against colorectal and lung cancer strains. These characteristics expand the possibility of applying NPC in the field of nutraceuticals, for example immobilized in different food matrices for the development of new functional products.