Preparation, characterization of naringenin, β-cyclodextrin and carbon quantum dot antioxidant nanocomposites

In this work, naringenin loaded beta-cyclodextrin and carbon quantum dots composite nanoparticles were successfully fabricated. The results showed that incorporation of carbon quantum dots not only enhanced antioxidant activities of nanoparticles but also improved encapsulation efficiency of naringenin. Further, the formation of composite nanoparticles was confirmed by a series of characterization methods. The zeta-potential and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data proved that electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding are dominant forces to form nanoparticles. X-Ray Diffraction experiment revealed that the material state of the formed naringenin-beta-CD-CQDs nanoparticles is amorphous in opposition to the crystalline state of naringenin, beta-CD and naringenin-beta-CD inclusion complex. Finally, antioxidant activity analyses against DPPH, ARTS(+) and Fe2+ chelating, showed an enhanced antioxidant activity of the formed composite nanoparticles compared to their constituents. These results indicated that naringenin can be effectively entrapped in beta-cyclodextrin and carbon quantum dots, forming composite nanoparticles with improved antioxidant properties.

Automated summary

In this study, naringenin loaded beta-cyclodextrin and carbon quantum dots composite nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and characterized. The results showed that the incorporation of carbon quantum dots improved the antioxidant activities of the nanoparticles and the encapsulation efficiency of naringenin. The formed composite nanoparticles displayed enhanced antioxidant properties compared to their individual constituents.