Preparation and characterization of Sargassum pallidum polysaccharide nanoparticles with enhanced antioxidant activity and adsorption capacity

Sargassum pallidum polysaccharide nanoparticle (nSPP-30) was prepared via antisolvent precipitation method and the preparation conditions were optimized. The effects of nanocrystallization on the structure and biological activities of S. pallidum polysaccharide were investigated. Under the optimal preparation condition, the average particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and ξ-potential of nSPP-30 were 229.63 nm, 0.407, and -28.43 mV, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses indicated that nanocrystallization did not change primary and crystal structures of S. pallidum polysaccharide. However, nanocrystallization could improve the swelling, thermodynamic, and antioxidant properties of S. pallidum polysaccharide. In addition, the thymol adsorption capacity of nSPP-30 was enhanced as compared to the corresponding polysaccharide. These results suggest that nSPP-30 can be developed as a potential antioxidant or natural nano-carrier to encapsulate thymol for practical applications.