Characterization of Pullulan/PVP/Curcumin‐loaded Fibers and Films Fabricated by Geometrical Conversion

Recently, a major substance in Turmeric (Curcuma longa. L) called curcumin was found to have many positive effects: it is an antioxidant, tumor suppressor, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐bacterial, blood pressure reducer, and obesity suppressor, so a lot of research and manufacture is being conducted to turn it into a health supplement. However, curcumin usually poor solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism. Thus, curcumin was selected as a subject for a proof of concept model to amend it water‐soluble by forming soluble fiber morphology which could gain easiness of absorption in vitro. To enhance curcumin stability in distilled water, PVP(polyvinylpyrrolidone), lecithin, β‐cyclodextrin, cyclodextrin, and WPI(whey protein isolate) was evaluated. The results showed that PVP is significantly more effective than other curcumin solubility reinforcing agents for curcumin stability and enhance release of curcumin in PBS from fibers and films with PVP was higher than without PVP. In this study, the pullulan, PVP, and curcumin‐loaded fibers‐films were fabricated by a novel fabricating machine and solvent casting, respectively. The preparation of inclusion complex was done using the drop‐wise method. Rheology, Scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile test and curcumin release were performed to characterize the morphology and molecular interaction of the fibers and films, respectively. A better way that improves release, solubility, and bioavailability of curcumin was selected and fabricated suitable formation as a better carrier for insoluble compounds to enhance their solubility. Thus, this study is expected to be available in various forms or processing methods in the food industries by helping to overcome the limitations of curcumin.