Preservation of catechin antioxidant properties loaded in carbohydrate nanoparticles

摘要

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant with several pharmacological and biological activities,was encapsulated in carbohydrate particles to preserve its antioxidant properties and improve itsbioavailability. Gum arabic–maltodextrin particles loaded with EGCG (EGCG/P) were successfully producedby homogenization and spray-drying, with an EGCG loading efficiency of 96±3%. Spray-driedparticles are spherical or corrugated and polydisperse with diameters less than 20 m. The particles inaqueous suspension revealed two main populations, with mean average diameters of 40 nm and 400 nm.Attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) confirmed that EGCG was incorporated inthe carbohydrate matrix by intermolecular interactions, maintaining its chemical integrity. Atomic forcemicroscopy imaging proved the particle spherical shape and size. The present study demonstrates thatthe carbohydrate matrix is able to preserve EGCG antioxidant properties, as proof of concept to be usedas polymeric drug carrier.