Synergistic co-stabilization of Pickering-surfactant hybrid emulsions using cellulose nanocrystals and chitin-glucan nanofibers for curcumin delivery systems.

Abstract

To investigate the synergistic co-stabilizers of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and chitin-glucan nanofibers (CGNFs) in Pickering emulsions for curcumin delivery. CNCs were obtained through sulfuric acid hydrolysis, while CGNFs were prepared using a deep eutectic solvent-assisted esterification. CGNFs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), displayed an entangled nanofiber network, high crystallinity, thermal stability, and a strong negative surface charge (-40.8 mV). Oil-in-water Pickering emulsions were fabricated using CNCs, CGNFs, and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), then loaded with curcumin, resulting in demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency (>97%), pH-responsive release (pH 5.0 and 7.4), and good rheological properties (shear thinning behavior). In vitro digestion demonstrated efficient lipid digestion efficiency. These findings support the synergistic co-stabilizers of CNCs and CGNFs for Pickering emulsions and support their application as robust, natural, and sustainable delivery systems for lipophilic bioactives in food and nutraceutical industries.