Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of soy protein hydrolysates (SPH)-tannic acid (TA) complex nanoparticle obtained by photocatalysis (SPH-T (P)) to construct curcumin (Cur) delivery vehicles. Methods: The interaction behaviour of SPH-T (P) was investigated using Fourier transform infra-red, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter analyzes. Formation and stability of the complexes were characterised by particle size, morphology, zeta potential, and in vitro release. Results: Negatively charged Cur-loaded complex with small size (<100 nm), spherical cluster shape and uniform size distribution were formed through the driving force of electrostatic attraction, followed by hydrogen bonding. The presence of photocatalysis in the complexes significantly improved the storage stability and in vitro sustained release of curcumin by enhancing the hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects and π-π stacking interactions between SPH and TA. Conclusion: SPH-T (P) would be a useful and promising delivery vehicle for encapsulating, protecting, and delivering hydrophobic nutraceuticals.
Keywords: Soy protein hydrolysate; complex nanoparticle; curcumin; photocatalysis; tannic acid.