Synthesis and characterization of curcumin nanoformulation using solvent diffusion cum evaporation technique

Abstract

Turmeric can be used as aromatic, stimulant, preservative, flavouring and colouring agent in diet and it also has various medicinal properties. Turmeric mainly consists of curcuminoids, volatile oils and water soluble peptide. Curcumin is insoluble in water, photosensitive and unstable in alkaline pH and so curcumin has less bioavailability in the body due to inadequate absorption from the gastrointestinal track, higher metabolic rate and faster excretion. The study aims to develop encapsulated curcumin nano formulation with higher bioavailability and product stability. The prepared curcumin nanoformulation was basically a nanoemulsion which consists of aqueous and organic phase. The mean droplet size of nanoemulsion was found to be 72.6nm, the polydispersity index was 0.478 and zeta potential was -50.2 mV after 1 hour ultrasonication with the surfactant concentration of 2.5 ml. The FTIR finger print confirms the presence of most of the absorption peaks pertaining to curcumin and beta cyclodextrin in the nanoformulation. The XRD pattern of curcumin nanoformulation showed that the crystallinity of the curcumin had decreased when curcumin was encapsulated within the carrier molecule thereby enhancing the aqueous solubility. Under thermo gravimetric analysis of nano formulation, the absence of peak at 185˚C indicated that the curcumin was completely encapsulated into the carrier molecule.