Preparation and Characterization of Blank and Nerolidol-Loaded Chitosan–Alginate Nanoparticles

Abstract

Recently, there has been a growing interest in using natural products as treatment alternatives in several diseases. Nerolidol is a natural product which has been shown to have protective effects in several conditions. The low water solubility of nerolidol and many other natural products limits their delivery to the body. In this research, a drug delivery system composed of alginate and chitosan was fabricated and loaded with nerolidol to enhance its water solubility. The chitosan–alginate nanoparticles were fabricated using a new method including the tween 80 pre-gelation, followed by poly-ionic crosslinking between chitosan negative and alginate positive groups. Several characterization techniques were used to validate the fabricated nanoparticles. The molecular interactions between the chitosan, alginate, and nerolidol molecules were confirmed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ultraviolet spectroscopy showed an absorbance peak of the blank nanoparticles at 200 nm and for the pure nerolidol at 280 nm. Using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape with an average size of 12 nm and 35 nm for the blank chitosan–alginate nanoparticles and the nerolidol-loaded chitosan–alginate nanoparticles, respectively. The nanoparticles were also shown to have a loading capacity of 51.7% and an encapsulation efficiency of 87%. A controlled release profile of the loaded drug for up to 28 h using an in vitro model was also observed, which is more efficient than the free form of nerolidol. In conclusion, chitosan–alginate nanoparticles and nerolidol loaded chitosan–alginate nanoparticles were successfully fabricated and characterized to show potential encapsulation and delivery using an in vitro model.

Profiling of Single Garlic Extract Microencapsulation: Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and Release Kinetic

“…and O-H). These four functional groups appear when the combination of chitosan-alginate material is used in encapsulation (Ahmad et al 2022). Other absorptions such as at 1025.45 cm -1 (aliphatic compound) IR SGE shifted at 1026.87 cm -1 at IR MCA-SGE.…”

Vitexin‐loaded poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether‐grafted chitosan/alginate nanoparticles: preparation, physicochemical properties and in vitro release behaviors

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15] Encapsulation is one of the most effective solutions to protect hydrophobic bioactive substances and poorly soluble compounds, e.g. curcumin, 16,17 fish oil 16,17 and nerolidol, 18 which require delivery formulations, and to enhance operational stability of shorthalf-life substances in the bloodstream, e.g. catalase 17 and nifedipine, 19 increasing their bioavailability and preventing unnecessary interactions with other substances.…”

“…While the preparation of chitosan/ALG nanoparticles for encapsulating and controlling the release of bioactive compounds has been reported for many years, most methods required crosslinkers, particularly sodium tripolyphosphate [23][24][25] and calcium chloride, 19,24,26 to harden the nanoparticles and to control the bioactive agents' release rate. Few studies have examined nanoparticles formed from polyelectrolyte complexes between polycationic chitosan and polyanionic ALG for encapsulating bioactive compounds such as crocin, 27 bovine serum albumin 28 and nerolidol, 18 and functionalizing lipid-based nanocarriers toward improved delivery in various applications. 29,30 However, their preparation requires weak acids with pungent odors, such as acetic or formic acid, to dissolve and provide positive charges for chitosan before complexation with ALG, limiting their broad application.…”