Microencapsulation of curcumin using a fatty acid-based eutectic mixture

Curcumin (CUR), a naturally occurring polyphenol derived from turmeric, has attracted significant interest due to its wide range of therapeutic properties. However, its clinical and industrial applications are hindered by inherent challenges such as poor solubility, low stability, and limited bioavailability. To address these limitations, encapsulation techniques have been explored as a promising strategy to enhance curcumin's stability, solubility, and bioavailability. In this study, for the first time, curcumin, as a herbal bioactive compound, was successfully microencapsulated within a bio-based phase change material (PCM). A eutectic mixture of stearic acid and lauric acid in a 1:3 molar ratio was utilized as the PCM for the microencapsulation process. The resulting microcapsules were thoroughly characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The findings revealed that curcumin was effectively encapsulated within the PCM, exhibiting a well-defined morphology. Furthermore, the release profile of curcumin from the microcapsules was evaluated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) at two different temperatures (37 and 45 ^○C). The release study demonstrated a sustained and controlled release pattern, with approximately 50% and 60% of the total curcumin released at 310.15 K and 318.15 K, respectively, over a 24-hour period. These results highlight the potential of bio-based PCMs as effective carriers for the microencapsulation and controlled delivery of curcumin, offering a promising approach to enhance its therapeutic efficacy and application in drug delivery systems.