Membrane-assisted core-shell entrapment technique as a powerful tool for curcumin encapsulation.

The complex approach, which comprises both theoretical – solubility and miscibility parameter calculation – and experimental – use of membrane-assisted process – steps, may enable the design and implementation of a fully scalable process – membrane-assisted core-shell entrapment – to make novel types of curcumin (CUR) nanocarriers using both hydrophobically functionalized polyelestrolites and poly(L -lactide)/poly(lactide- co -glycolide) (PLLA/PLGA) blends. The optimal composition of the core material for CUR encapsulation was assessed using solubility and miscibility parameters, which were calculated utilizing different approaches – group increment methods by Hoy and Hoftyzer-van Krevelen as well as Hansen solubility parameters. Core-shell entrapment of CUR was performed by a membrane-assisted process using the LDC-1 set (Micropore Technologies). The nanocarriers were characterized using dynamic light scattering as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy to determine their sizes, shapes and morphologies. UV-Vis spectrophotometry was used to analyze the CUR concentration in the nanocarriers and in vitro release profiles. The performed calculations show excellent compatibility between core components (PLLA, PLGA and CUR), confirmed by UV-Vis spectra and in vitro release profiles. The uniform sizes and shapes of the obtained nanocarriers show the very high potential of membrane-assisted core-shell entrapment of CUR into the nanoparticles as well as possible process control and upscaling. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]