development of zein nanoparticles using natural surfactants for enhanced drug delivery systems

Zein proteins, a type of alcohol-soluble storage protein found in corn kernels, are increasingly recognized for their applications in drug delivery and coatings particularly in poultry farming where they assist in nutrient protection and controlled delivery systems (1, 2). however, a major challenge with zein nanoparticles is their structural instability over time which can result in particle aggregation, reduced dispersibility and altered drug delivery properties. to overcome this issue, the nanoprecipitation method is employed. this involves dissolving zein in an organic solvent and then adding it to an aqueous solution with a surfactant which promotes the rapid formation of zein nanoparticles offering more control over their size and surface properties (3). in this study, saponin derived from acanthophyllum, a natural surfactant, was used to create uniformly distributed nanoparticles. saponin not only enhances nanoparticle stability but also increases the efficiency of drug delivery particularly for poorly water-soluble drugs such as anti-cancer agents. approximately 40% of the saponin is absorbed onto the zein ensuring effective encapsulation. the concentration of saponin used was ranged from 1000 ppm to 4000 ppm while, the concentration of zein varied between 0.5% to 2% w/v. these conditions were optimized to produce nanoparticles with better control over their properties. the resulting nanoparticles not only provided enhanced protection for light-sensitive and degradable compounds but also showed improved stability.