Synthesis, Suspension Stability, and Bioactivity of Curcumin-Carrying Chitosan Polymeric Nanoparticles

Curcumin is a phenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, due to its low bioavailability, the use of encapsulation systems is recommended. Chitosan-based polymeric nanoparticles produced via ionic gelation offer controlled release, though their storage stability remains limited. In this work, the incorporation of collagen-derived peptides, NaCl, and Tween® 80 was evaluated as a strategy to enhance physicochemical performance. A 23 factorial design was used to identify the most relevant formulation components, resulting in four stable systems capable of retaining curcumin and preserving its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity during storage. These findings highlight the potential of chitosan-based systems for improving the functional performance of curcumin and suspension stability.