Effect of Sodium Hydroxide and Tripolyphosphate on Curcumin Release from Chitosan-Based Macroparticles

Alessandro Pistone; Annamaria de Gaetano; Elpida Piperopoulos; Chiara Abate

doi:10.3390/ma16175850

Effect of Sodium Hydroxide and Tripolyphosphate on Curcumin Release from Chitosan-Based Macroparticles

Materials (Basel). 2023 Aug 26;16(17):5850. doi: 10.3390/ma16175850.

Authors

Alessandro Pistone¹, Annamaria de Gaetano¹, Elpida Piperopoulos¹, Chiara Abate¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio, I-98166 Messina, Italy.

Abstract

This work deals with the synthesis of bare and curcumin (CUR)-loaded chitosan (CS)-based macroparticles by ionic gelation using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). The resulting spherical-shaped macroparticles were studied using various characterization techniques, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The release of CUR from the CS-based particles with respect to time was analyzed, and the encapsulation efficiency and degree of swelling were studied. All formulations showed excellent CUR trapping efficiency, exceeding 90%. In particular, the TPP-crosslinked macrobeads released 34 wt% of the charged CUR within minutes, while the remaining 66 wt% was released slowly. The results indicate that the correct choice of gelling agent and its concentration leads to spherical particles capable of encapsulating CUR and releasing it in a wide range of kinetics so that macrospheres can be used in different applications.

Keywords: chitosan; controlled-release drug system; curcumin; tripolyphophate.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by NAVTEC (Research Consortium for Technological Innovation; naval, commercial and pleasure transport; Sicily, s.c.a.r.l), name of project: SIMARE—Innovative Solutions for High Energy Saving Vessels; grant number 08ME7219090182 PO FESR 2014/2020—Action 115.