A novel amphiphilic chitosan derivative of N,N-dimethylhexadecyl carboxymethyl chitosan (DCMCs) was synthesized. The structure of DCMCs was confirmed via FT-IR and 1H NMR, and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that DCMCs has hydrophilic carboxyl and hydrophobic methylene groups and the CMC value was 23.00 mg·L–1. The polymeric liposomes (DCMCs/cholesterol liposomes, DC-Ls) were developed, and its properties were evaluated. The DC-Ls exhibited multilamellar spheres with positive charge (+73.30 mV), narrow size distribution (PDI = 0.277), and good crystal properties. Salidroside was first to encapsulate into DC-Ls. Compared with traditional liposomes (phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol liposome, PC-Ls), DC-Ls showed higher encapsulation efficiency (82.46%) and slower sustained release rate. The in vitro salidroside release from DC-Ls was governed by two distinct stages (i.e., burst release and sustained release) and was dependent on the pH of the release medium. The case II transport and case I Fichian diffusion were the main release mechanisms for the entire release procedure. These results indicated that DC-Ls may be a potential carrier system for the production of functional foods that contain salidroside or other bioactive food ingredients.
Novel amphiphilic chitosan derivative of N , N -dimethylhexadecyl carboxymethyl chitosan (DCMCs) was synthesised. The physical properties of DCMCs were characterised by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. DCMCs can form core–shell micelles with low critical micelle concentration (31 mg L −1 ). The core–shell micelles exhibited spherical shape with positive charge (+50.7 mV) and narrow size distribution (polydispersity index <0.5). Vitamin D 3 (VD 3 ) was initially used to load into the core–shell micelles, and the solubility of VD 3 was improved with higher encapsulation efficiency (53.2%). The in vitro release processes of VD 3 from the core–shell micelles were initially rapid and then followed by a sustained release. The Higuchi model was the most suitable for describing the entire release procedure. DCMCs core–shell micelles are promising carriers for VD 3 and other hydrophobic bioactive food factors.