Curcumin-loaded composite hydrogel based on scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonad hydrolysates and κ-carrageenan: Characterization and in vitro digestibility

A composite hydrogel composed of scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonad hydrolysates (SMGHs) and κ-carrageenan (KC) was fabricated with a designed microstructure to preserve curcumin (Cur) during the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The presence of KC obviously increased the initial elastic moduli (8.2–761.8 Pa), shortened the relaxation time T23 (517.37–420.10 ms) as well as caused the blue shift of the emission peak and quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of Cur in SMGHs/KC-Cur system, signifying the solid combination within SMGHs and KC. In addition, the red shift in O–H stretching bands and blue shift in amide I bands in SMGHs/KC-Cur further accentuated the involvement of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions within SMGHs, KC and Cur. The disappearance of crystalline structures suggested the successful embedment of Cur in the hydrophobic core of SMGHs. Moreover, the microstructure of the hydrogels varied from heterogeneous with tattered large pore cavities and scattered patches to homogeneous distribution with dense mesh and solid network wall. These scenarios caused a more compact network of SMGHs/KC-Cur than SMGHs-Cur to protect Cur from releasing in simulated intestinal and simulated colonic phases with slower released rate, both of which had the final extent of Cur release exceeding 90%. Furthermore, cryo-SEM showed that the significant release of Cur from hydrogels in the simulated intestinal phase was due to SMGHs matrix erosion with even larger pore sizes, tattered network and thinner network wall. Therefore, it is suggested that SMGHs/KC hydrogels with biocompatibility and good tolerance to acid environment could be reliable and desirable soft materials to embed and deliver Cur to the colon, having potential applications in functional foods and biological therapeutic purposes.