Preparation of zein nanoparticles by pH controlled nanoprecipitation.

Zein is a hydrophobic water insoluble plant protein and the main goal of the present study was to prepare zein nanoparticles using pH controlled nanoprecipitation method. Nanoparticle characteristics such as size, polydispersity index (PI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency were studied using 6, 7-dihydroxycoumarin, as a model hydrophobic compound. Lecithin and pluronic F68 were used as stabilizers. The blank zein nanoparticles had a mean particle size of 460 nm; while coumarin loaded zein nanoparticles had a mean particle size of 365 nm. The encapsulation efficiency of coumarin loaded zein nanoparticles was 62%. The release of coumarin from zein nanoparticles was sustained in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for upto 9 days. Overall the results from this study demonstrate a new method for preparing drug loaded zein nanoparticles.