Delivery of curcumin using a zein-xanthan gum nanocomplex: Fabrication, characterization, and in vitro release properties.

This study aimed to use xanthan gum as a stabilizer to improve the stability of zein nanoparticles. Zein-xanthan gum composite nanoparticles were prepared via anti-solvent precipitation at pH 4.0. The particle size, zeta potential, and stability of the system were related to the amount of xanthan gum added. When 20 mg of xanthan gum was added, spherical nanoparticles with a small particle size (179 ± 2.1 nm) and sufficient negative zeta potential (-42 ± 1.6 mV) were obtained. The zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated that electrostatic attraction was the main driving force, followed by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Composite nanoparticles were coated by xanthan gum and remained stable over a wide pH range and at high temperatures and salt concentrations; they did not precipitate or aggregate after 30 days of storage. Moreover, the addition of xanthan gum considerably improved the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of nanoparticles containing high curcumin amounts, which facilitated slow and sustained release of curcumin in simulated intestinal fluid. Therefore, zein-xanthan gum nanoparticles can be used for the delivery of biologically active compounds in food and pharmaceutical preparations.