An Insight into the Interactions betweenα-Tocopherol and Chitosan in Ultrasound-Prepared Nanoparticles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions betweenα-tocopherol and chitosan molecules prepared subsequent to preparation ofα-tocopherol-loaded chitosan nanoparticles using ultrasonication. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed semispherical particles with an average size of approximately 350 nm. Also from reconstitution test,α-tocopherol was suggested as stabilizing agent during lyophilization/reconstitution process. The zeta potentials of chitosan andα-tocopherol nanoparticles were larger than±30 mV, representing suitable stability. Data obtained from FTIR showed possibility of chemical interaction between chitosan andα-tocopherol. Furthermore, the results from FTIR, NMR, and XRD spectroscopy confirmed electrostatic interactions between the two molecules. Overall, this procedure could be considered as a facile method to prepareα-tocopherol-loaded nanoparticles.