Stability and release performance of curcumin-loaded liposomes with varying content of hydrogenated phospholipids.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to substitute part of soybean phospholipid (SPC) with hydrogenated soybean phospholipid (HSPC) in curcumin-loaded liposomes (Cur-LP), in order to further enhance stability and release performances of curcumin. When the SPC/HSPC mass ratio changed from 100 to 55, vesicle size, encapsulation efficiency and alkali resistance of curcumin increased, although a small decrease in centrifugal stability was observed. Salt stability became worse as more HSPC was used (37 and 010). Owing storage at 4 °C and 25 °C, Cur-LP at a SPC/HSPC mass ratio of 55 performed well considering vesicle size, lipid oxidation and curcumin retention. These vesicles displayed also the best sustained-release performance in simulated digestion, attributed to the tighter lipid packing in membranes as indicated by fluorescence probes, DSC and FTIR. This study can guide the development of a Cur-LP product with improved shelf-life stability by using HSPC.