In this study, we have synthesized magnetic nanocomposites of magnetite nanoparticles coated with 6-aminohexanoic acid and pectin (MAP). The size of the aqueous dispersion of the nanocomposites was 147nm with a Polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.32, and the nanocomposites were stable in NaCl up to a concentration of 0.45% (w/v) after which they aggregated. The dispersion of the nanocomposites was stable in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) in the presence of 5 and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Curcumin was used as a model drug to evaluate the potential of the nanocomposites for drug delivery applications. The release behavior of curcumin from the nanocomposites showed a biphasic pattern with initial burst release followed by a slow release, and the size of the aqueous dispersion of curcumin loaded nanocomposites was 159nm with a PDI of 0.34.
Keywords: Curcumin; Magnetite nanoparticles; Pectin; Serum proteins; Superparamagnetism.
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