Polymeric nanocapsules loaded with hydroxycinnamic acids

Due to increase of public interest in healthier and functional foods, the use of nanotechnological approaches to safeguard active ingredient is a challenge that has attracted the attention of researchers and food companies (1). In particular, the polymeric nanocapsules are an efficacy strategy to increase solubility and bioavailability of functional biomolecules in food, to protect from degradation and to mask unpleasant tastes (2). In this context, we report the synthesis of biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric nanocapsules (Figure 1) prepared by interfacial deposition of performed polymer method. The nanocapsules are able to load in lipid-core lipophilic molecules having pharmacological activities. Among the bioactive ingredients, we have focused our interest in hydroxycinnamic acids, presenting in the diet, which possess demonstrated chemoprevention properties. Light scattering techniques have been used to characterize and screen the prepared colloidal suspensions. Experimental data to describe the encapsulation process, as drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and time stability are given here. Preliminary tests performed to simulate gastro-intestinal digestion are also reported. References 1. C. E. Handford, M. Dean, M. Henchion, M. Spence, C. T. Elliot, K. Campbell, Trends in Food Science &Technology 2014, 22, 226-241. 2. P. N. Ezhilarasi, P. Karthik, N. Chhanwal, C. Anandharamkrishanan, Food Bioprocess Technol. 2013,6, 628-647.