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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412050
Research Project: Technologies for Producing Marketable Bioproducts

Location: Renewable Product Technology Research

Title: Water-insoluble a-glucan polysaccharide nanoparticles for controlled release of compounds

Author
item Evans, Kervin
item Skory, Christopher
item Compton, David
item Appell, Michael

Submitted to: Controlled Release Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/8/2024
Publication Date: 7/8/2024
Citation: Evans, K.O., Skory, C.D., Compton, D.L., Appell, M.D. 2024. Water-insoluble a-glucan polysaccharide nanoparticles for controlled release of compounds. [abstract]. Controlled Release Society Annual Meeting, Bologna, Italy. Jul. 8-12, 2024.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Introduction: Nanoparticles/nanoencapsulation systems from environmentally friendly materials like polysaccharides have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewability. We have developed technology to convert water-insoluble alpha-glucans, synthesized from recombinant Leuconostoc mesenteroides glucansucrase and sucrose, into nanoparticles using high-pressure homogenization. These nanoparticles can be created under different pH-conditions and have long-term storage stability up to 60 °C. In this study, we show that these nanoparticles can encapsulate water-soluble or water-insoluble materials for controlled release. Methods: Alpha-Glucan polysaccharide homogenized to form nanoparticles containing carboxyfluorescein (CF) was first dialyzed to remove unencapsulated CF and subsequently tested for further release over 6 days. Alpha-Glucan polysaccharides mixed with feruloyl soy glycerides (FSG) at 1:2 (w/w) ratio that was homogenized into nanoparticles were measured for their encapsulation rate and controlled release under thermal conditions. Samples were analyzed for size, zeta potential, and morphological characteristics. Results: Size and zeta potential analysis revealed that alpha-glucan nanoparticles, FSG nanoparticles, and FSG/alpha-glucan nanoparticles had distinct sizes, zeta potentials, and morphological properties values. Dialysis revealed that alpha-glucan nanoparticles were able to release CF over a 98-hr period. Alpha-Glucan nanoparticles were determined to encapsulate FSG at nearly a 98% rate and release FSG at 66 °C. Conclusion: Alpha-Glucan nanoparticles are promising as a natural, environmentally friendly encapsulation system for continued release of water-soluble bioactives, or for temperature-controlled release of water-insoluble oily-like bioactives with a high encapsulation rate. The alpha-glucan nanoparticles are being further developed as encapsulation system for specific water-soluble and water-insoluble bioactives.