pH-responsive amphiphilic chitosan derivative-based nanomicelles:Preparation, characterization and in vitro release of Vitamin D3

A novel amphiphilic and pH-responsive nanomaterial was synthesized using carboxymethyl chitosan, N, N-dimethylhexadecylamine and acrylic acid. The structure property and critical micelle concentration of the nanomaterial was characterized. The material has the capability of forming core-shell micelles in aqueous solution with critical micelle concentration of 95mg/L. The micelles exhibited different size in diverse pH conditions, and the Zeta potential were all positive charged. Vitamin D3was used as a model molecule, and the results indicated that the solubility of VD3was improved with higher encapsulation efficiency (EE, 57.3%) . The in vitro release of VD3from the micelle in different pH solution indicated that the VD3-loaded micelle has the highest accumulative release (69.2%) in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) , while the lowest (42.1%) in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) . This novel core-shell micelle might be a potential biological carrier for VD3or other bioactive food agents.