• 식품과학과 산업
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.56-68
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• 2020

Recently, chitosan has increased attention in commercial applications in the food industry in terms of its biocompatibility and nontoxicity. In particular, chitosan has been used as a good hosting material for producing nanoparticles due to its unique property of ionic gelation. Chitosan has disadvantages such as low solubility at physiological pH, causing the metabolism of core material in the intestine and gastric juice. To overcome these limitations, various chitosan derivatives such as carboxylated, thiolated, and acylated chitosan have been studied. This review focuses on the changes in the physicochemical properties of chitosan nanoparticles with the introduction of hydrophobic groups, the application of functional nanocapsules as coatings, and their applicability in the food sector. The physicochemical modification of chitosan is expected to be an attractive research field for the development of chitosan applications for food as well as for improving bioavailability in functional food.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.228-235
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• 2021

Backgroud: Ginsenoside compound K (GK) is a major metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides and has remarkable anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. This work used an ionic cross-linking method to entrap GK within O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) nanoparticles (Nps) to form GK-loaded OCMC Nps (GK-OCMC Nps), which enhance the aqueous solubility and stability of GK. Methods: The GK-OCMC Nps were characterized using several physicochemical techniques, including x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, and particle size analysis via dynamic light scattering. GK was released from GK-OCMC Nps and was conducted using the dialysis bag diffusion method. The effects of GK and GK-OCMC Nps on PC3 cell viability were measured by using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Fluorescent technology based on Cy5.5-labeled probes was used to explore the cellular uptake of GK-OCMC Nps. Results: The GK-OCMC NPs had a suitable particle size and zeta potential; they were spherical with good dispersion. In vitro drug release from GK-OCMC NPs was pH dependent. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity study and cellular uptake assays indicated that the GK-OCMC Nps significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of GK toward the PC3 cells. GK-OCMC Nps also significantly promoted the activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. Conclusion: GK-OCMC Nps are potential nanocarriers for delivering hydrophobic drugs, thereby enhancing water solubility and permeability and improving the antiproliferative effects of GK.