Encapsulation and release behavior of curcumin based on nanoemulsions-filled alginate hydrogel beads

To provide the bilateral advantages of emulsions and hydrogels, a facile approach was used to fabricate nanoemulsions filled hydrogel beads through combining the method of self-emulsification and sodium alginate (SA) ionic gelation. The encapsulation and release behavior of curcumin (Cur) were further investigated. The results indicated that Cur packaged nanoemulsions were with the size of 24.26 ± 0.22 nm. The nanoemulsions filled SA hydrogel beads were spherical shell with the diameter of 0.46 ± 0.02 mm. For Cur, the EE and LC of emulsion filled SA hydrogel beads were 99.15 ± 0.85% and 7.25 ± 3.16 mg/g respectively. The release behavior could be regulated by external pH condition. The release behavior at pH 9.0 displayed a higher release rate than that at pH 7.0. Cur released behavior well followed the Hixcon-Crowell model which indicated that Cur was released in a diffusion-controlled model. Comparatively investigation of microstructure using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) further investigates the corrosion behavior of SA gel beads during Cur release. The worth-while endeavor provided a practical combined technique of emulsions and ionic gelation to fabricate hybrid hydrogel beads that have potential in delivery system for hydrophobic composition.