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Presenter: Tyler Ryan Sousa-Chaisson

Faculty Sponsor: Changqing Chen

School: Salem State University

Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Session: Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM, Auditorium, A32

ABSTRACT

Curcumin is a naturally occurring compound found within turmeric plants. Its list of health benefits includes being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. It has been extensively researched as a fluorescent probe in the detection of amyloid beta (Ab) plaque present in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In its powdered form, curcumin has a hydrophobic, non-polar chemical structure which reduces its water solubility in aqueous physiological environments. This research aims to encapsulate curcumin into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), to increase its internal bioavailability, and encapsulation efficiency. A literature search has been conducted and a procedure was developed and implemented for the formulation process. This formulation can potentially increase curcumin’s stability within the body and make it more bioavailable. UV/Vis spectroscopy was used to characterize the formulated curcumin. A calibration curve was constructed, followed by an investigation on stability of the formulated curcumin SLNs in a stomach-like environment, over a period of time.