Improving the Functional Activities of Curcumin Using Milk Proteins as Nanocarriers

Abstract

Curcumin is one of the most common spices worldwide. It has potential benefits, but its poor solubility and bioavailability have restricted its application. To overcome these problems, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of sodium caseinate (SC), α-lactalbumin (α-La), β-lactoglobulin (β-lg), whey protein concentrate (WPC) and whey protein isolate (WPI) as nanocarriers of curcumin. Furthermore, the antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activities of the formed nanoparticles were examined. The physicochemical characteristics of the formed nanoparticles as well as the entrapment efficiency (%) and the in vitro behavior regarding the release of curcumin (%) were examined. The results showed that the formation of curcumin–milk protein nanoparticles enhanced both the entrapment efficiency and the in vitro behavior release of curcumin (%). Cur/β-lg nanoparticles had the highest antioxidant activity, while SC and WPC nanoparticles had the highest anticancer effect. The antimicrobial activity of the formed nanoparticles was much higher compared to curcumin and the native milk proteins.

Strategies for Improving Bioavailability, Bioactivity, and Physical-Chemical Behavior of Curcumin

“…Protein from whey is arguably the most researched type of protein in relation to curcumin, in the form of whey protein isolate (WPI) [ 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 ], as well as whey protein concentrate (WPC) [ 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 ]. However, while both WPI and WPC come from whey, there is a significant difference between them in terms of processing and final product composition.…”

“…Furthermore, the fact that the protein portion of whey consists of many distinct proteins, such as β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin (BSA), immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, and glycomacropeptide, must also be considered. There is considerable literature that focuses on the interactions of these individual proteins and curcumin [ 165 , 166 , 167 , 168 , 169 , 170 , 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 ], for example, CCM and β-lactoglobulin [ 158 , 165 , 166 , 167 , 168 , 169 ], α-lactalbumin [ 170 , 173 ], bovine serum albumin [ 171 , 172 ], or lactoferrin [ 174 ].…”

“…Casein, the other milk protein, while slower than whey in terms of amino-acid absorption by the body, has also been studied with respect to curcumin complexation [ 158 , 161 , 175 ].…”

Innovative Delivery Systems Loaded with Plant Bioactive Ingredients: Formulation Approaches and Applications

“…In both cases the effects were found to be dose-dependent. Nanoemulsions using whey protein isolate or polymerized whey protein isolate loaded with lutein have also been prepared with the aid of high intensity ultrasounds [ 177 ]. The whey protein isolate-based nanoemulsion system was found to be stable during storage at 4 °C for four weeks with lutein being reduced by only 4%.…”

The Health Benefits of the Bioactive Compounds in Foods

“…On the other hand, the encapsulation of bioactive compounds as a strategy to improve their solubility and preserve their chemical integrity and successful delivery in physiological targets has been proposed recently. In that regard, Taha et al [ 11 ] evaluate the efficacy of different milk proteins as nanocarriers for curcumin. Their results revealed that the developed nanoparticles presented an antimicrobial activity much higher compared to curcumin and the native milk proteins.…”