Green Synthesis of Different Zein nanoparticles – Characterization and In vitro Release studies

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has gained traction in the biomedical field, as it reduces drug susceptibility, improves bioavailability, and enhances therapeutic efficacy and drug targeting. Among the various types of nanoparticles, biopolymeric nanoparticles composed of proteins and polysaccharides offer a significant advantage in drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, environmental sustainability, and versatility. Nanoparticles made of zein, a prolamine class of protein, are widely studied for their use in the biopharmaceutical industry. However, the clinical translation of the drug-loaded zein nanoparticle remains a challenge. Different zein nanoparticles were prepared using the green synthetic approach by incorporating different polysaccharides, sodium alginate, and pectin to improve their characteristics and drug-release properties. Herbal extract was chosen as the drug material for the drug release study. Standard methods calculated the nanoparticle yield, percentage of encapsulation, and drug content. The surface morphology and size of the nanoparticles were studied by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM); structural characterization by Fourier Transform Infra-Red and UV-visible spectroscopic methods, and thermal stability by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The in vitro drug release was performed using the dialysis method. The SEM results specify the formation of spherical nanoparticles of the appropriate size. The spectroscopic studies confirmed the incorporation of all the components in the nanoparticles. DSC and TGA analysis confirmed the thermal stability of the nanoparticles. The drug release studies demonstrated diffusion-based drug release, which followed first-order kinetics and the Higuchi mechanism. From the results, it was confirmed that the incorporation of polysaccharides improves the encapsulation efficiency and the drug-release properties of the nanoparticles. It was also evident that the encapsulation of the herbal extract further improved the stability of the nanoparticles.