Preparation of active polysaccharide-loaded maltodextrin nanoparticles and their stability as a function of ionic strength and pH

- Maltodextrin nanoparticles (MNPs) with controllable particle sizes were prepared.
- MNPs prepared with different emulsifier had different morphology, size and structure.
- MNPs prepared at different ratio (maltodextrin solution: ethanol) had different size.
- The active polysaccharides-loaded MNPs were more stable against salt and pH.

Active polysaccharides (APs) are known to have a wide variety of biological functions, such as anti-viral, anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, and lipid-lowering effects. However, the extremely low bioavailability of APs restricts their bioactivity in vivo; therefore, the development of a biopolymer nanoparticle carrier is a promising solution. For the first time, we have successfully prepared maltodextrin nanoparticles (MNPs) with controllable particle sizes. The influence of different emulsifier types and volume ratios of a maltodextrin solution to absolute ethanol on the morphology and size of the MNPs was examined, and the smallest MNPs (30-90 nm) were obtained when the volume ratio was 1:10 and the emulsifier was Tween 80. Furthermore, tea, pumpkin, and balsam pear polysaccharides were loaded on the MNPs with loading efficiencies of 63.5, 68.7, and 72.1%, respectively. Compared with the MNPs, the AP-loaded MNPs were more stable in a high salt content, or under a gastric pH of 1.2 and physiological pH of 7.4 conditions. These MNPs may serve as effective nanocarriers by delivering APs to enhance their bioavailability.