Loaded curcumin in asafoetida gum/chitosan: Characteristics and modeling of release kinetics

Abstract

Considering the challenges of curcumin (Cur), low solubility/bioaccessibility, and rapid degradation, this study aimed to encapsulate it in a mixture of asafoetida gum (AFG) and chitosan (CS), with ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1. The release profile and bioaccessibility were investigated, and the best sample was selected based on the latter results and further evaluated. FTIR results indicated the success of the encapsulation process. The presence of peaks in the XRD results of the complex that were detected only in the Cur graph was further evidence of this claim. The thermogravimetry indicated that the thermal stability of the complex lay between that of the components. The percentage of free radical inhibition showed improved antioxidant activity of the complex compared to its free counterpart (87.04vs. 47.25). The enhancement (2.34-3.89 fold) in bioaccessibility by encapsulation is another positive aspect of the formulation. The overall results (improved bioaccessibility, controlled release, and strengthened antioxidant activity) indicate the potential of these biopolymers for the effective encapsulation of bioactive materials, paving the way for applications in functional foods and pharmaceutical formulations.