Novel self-assembled micelles of dual-modified dextrin with pH responsiveness via grafted octenyl succinic anhydride and cysteamine for curcumin delivery

In this study, a novel dextrin-based micelle (OSAD-SH), dual-modified with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) and cysteamine, has been developed to address the acid instability issues of micelles modified only by OSA and designed for curcumin delivery. The chemical structure of OSAD-SH was characterized and the physical properties of the micelles were evaluated. Results displayed that OSAD-SH micelles exhibit strong self-assembly properties, appearing as spheres with diameters ranging from 92.41 to 194.20 nm. Blank micelles with good dilution resistance, acid, thermal, and ionic strength stability. The curcumin encapsulated by the micelles is in an amorphous state. In vitro release experiments demonstrated that curcumin released from OSAD-SH micelles exhibits intestinal targeting. The Ritger-Peppas model effectively predicted the release behavior of curcumin, indicating that the release mechanism follows super case-II transport. The OSAD-SH micelle could be a promising nanocarrier for improving the physicochemical properties of curcumin in food fields.