Preparation and Evaluation of Hydrophobic Chitosan Aerogel for Loading and Sustained Release of Curcumin

Hydrophobic chitosan aerogels were prepared using chitosan as a matrix and 2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal as a cross-linking modifier to graft n-octadecanethiol and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that the surface of the hydrophobic chitosan aerogel had a three-dimensional porous structure. 2,6-Dimethyl-5-heptenal was successfully grafted via the Schiff base reaction. The proportion of elemental sulfur was 1.17% in the aerogel. In the surface contact angle test, the oil droplet contact angle was 0°, and the water droplet contact angle was 126°. The chitosan aerogel exhibited good hydrophobic properties. The loading of fat-soluble curcumin in the aerogel reached the maximum value of 70.5 mg/g after 40 min, and the optimal loading temperature was 27 ℃. The hydrophobic chitosan aerogel had a good sustained-release performance, and the sustained-release rate of curcumin in simulated intestinal fluid was up to 89.6%.