Soluble starch formulated nanocomposite increases water solubility and stability of curcumin

Starch nanoparticle loaded with curcumin was fabricated using a facile solution mixing method. Curcumin was encapsulated at various weight ratio and the results showed that 3 wt% loading achieved the highest encapsulation ability, encapsulation efficiency as well as storage ability. The obtained curcumin loaded starch (cur@star) was yellowish colored and well dispersed in water. Morphological properties were observed via transmission electron microscopy which revealed that the particles were spherical and unified distributed with diameter around 100 nm. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction were preformed to confirm that curcumin exists in the starch matrix in amorphous state. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra indicate that hydrogen bonding may be responsible for the interaction between curcumin and starch. Cur@star increased the stability of curcumin against UV irradiation and retained its antioxidant ability. Due to the simple preparation procedures and low-priced material used, curcumin soluble starch nanocomposite reported here is promising to widen applications of curcumin in the food industry. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.