Open AccessMetal–Organic Framework-Stabilized High Internal Phase Pickering Emulsions Based on Computer Simulation for Curcumin Encapsulation: Comprehensive Characterization and Stability Mechanism
Author(s) -
Peihua Ma,
Jinglin Zhang,
Zi Teng,
Zhang Yuan,
Gary R. Bauchan,
Yaguang Luo,
Dongxia Liu,
Qin Wang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acs omega
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 40
ISSN - 2470-1343
DOI - 10.1021/acsomega.1c03932
Subject(s) - materials science , polyethylene glycol , nanoparticle , pickering emulsion , curcumin , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , biocompatibility , amphiphile , metal organic framework , drug delivery , chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer , composite material , metallurgy , biochemistry , adsorption , copolymer , engineering
High internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs) have taken a center stage in the arena of delivery systems in the food industry because of their high loading capacity and stability. In addition, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a type of cutting-edge designable porous scaffolding material, have attracted attention in reticular chemistry, which satisfies fundamental demands for delivery research in the past years. Here, we demonstrate a novel metal-organic framework (MOF)-stabilized HIPPE delivery system for hydrophobic phytochemicals. First, a novel high-biocompatibility and stable MOF particle, UiO-66-NH 2 , was selected from atomic simulation screening, which showed proper electronegativity and amphiphilic properties to develop the HIPPE system. Monodispersed UiO-66-NH 2 nanoparticles with the particle size of 161.36 nm were then prepared via solvothermal synthesization. Pickering emulsions with inner phase ratios from 50 to 80% with varied contents of polyethylene glycol (PEG) were prepared by in situ high-pressure homogenization, and their physicochemical properties including crystallography, morphology, and rheology were systematically characterized. Subsequently, curcumin, a model antioxidant, was loaded in the HIPPE system and named cur@UiO-66-NH 2 /HIPPE. It exhibited high loading capacity, up to 6.93 ± 0.41%, and encapsulation efficiency (19.76 ± 3.84%). This novel MOF nanoparticle-stabilized HIPPE delivery system could be practically utilized for other bioactive components and antimicrobial agents, which would find applications in food safety and biomedical areas in the future.