Just add sugar for carbohydrate induced self-assembly of curcumin

Sandy Wong, Jiacheng Zhao, Cheng Cao, Chin Ken Wong, Rhiannon P. Kuchel, Sergio Luca, James M. Hook, Christopher J. Garvey, Sean Smith, Junming Ho and Martina H. Stenzel ()
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Sandy Wong: University of New South Wales
Jiacheng Zhao: University of New South Wales
Cheng Cao: University of New South Wales
Chin Ken Wong: University of New South Wales
Rhiannon P. Kuchel: University of New South Wales
Sergio Luca: University of New South Wales
James M. Hook: University of New South Wales
Christopher J. Garvey: ANSTO
Sean Smith: University of New South Wales
Junming Ho: University of New South Wales
Martina H. Stenzel: University of New South Wales

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract In nature, self-assembly processes based on amphiphilic molecules play an integral part in the design of structures of higher order such as cells. Among them, amphiphilic glycoproteins or glycolipids take on a pivotal role due to their bioactivity. Here we show that sugars, in particular, fructose, are capable of directing the self-assembly of highly insoluble curcumin resulting in the formation of well-defined capsules based on non-covalent forces. Simply by mixing an aqueous solution of fructose and curcumin in an open vessel leads to the generation of capsules with sizes ranging between 100 and 150 nm independent of the initial concentrations used. Our results demonstrate that hydrogen bonding displayed by fructose can induce the self-assembly of hydrophobic molecules such as curcumin into well-ordered structures, and serving as a simple and virtually instantaneous way of making nanoparticles from curcumin in water with the potential for template polymerization and nanocarriers.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08402-y

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