Preparation of Edible Zein Hybrid Particles and Its Controlled Release Behaviors

A kind of novel hybrid particles (ZCa: Zein/CaCO3) for delivering water-soluble drugs have been prepared by solvent-nonsolvent phase separation method. The obtained ZCa hybrid particles were characterized by DLS, FT-IR spectra and SEM. ZCa hybrid particles have favorable dispersibility. The particle size and shape could be controlled by Zein/CaCO3 mass ratio, with the average size of ZCa hybrid particles being close to 200 nm. Using RB as water-soluble model drug, drug loading and release behaviors of ZCa hybrid particles were investigated. Compared with the pure zein particles, the encapsulation efficiency of ZCa was enhanced obviously, which reached 75.7%. The release ratio of RB in RB@ZCa could be controlled by pH value and by the content of CaCO3. ZCa was also applied to carry and release Dox, anticancer drug, and the cumulative release ratio of Dox@ZCa was obviously enhanced. The cumulative release ratio of Dox@ZCa reached 89 %. ZCa hybrid particles are a promising candidate in nutraceuticals and drugs delivery system.