Quercetin (QC)  is a common bioflavonoid with very low water solubility and dispersity, which limits its oral bioavailability and beneficial functions in vivo. In order to overcome these drawbacks, the wet-milling technology was used to disintegrate micron-sized QC crystals into nanoparticles. Hydrophobically modified starch (HMS) was added to the formulation in the same ratio of QC dihydrates before processing, which acted as the stabilizer to prevent the agglomeration of the particles. Then nanodispersions were spray-dried and freeze-dried separately after wet milling. The physicochemical characteristics of formulated QC were measured through Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dissolution Test and Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD). Besides, the TIM-1 model was used to study the bioaccessibility of the formulated QC compared with the original form. In addition, an MTT assay was utilized in determining the anti-proliferative activity of QC formulation on human Caco-2 colon cancer cells. This study suggests that wet-milling technique combined with spray-drying or freeze-drying treatment would be an excellent processing method for the development of QC-based functional food products with enhanced dissolution, bioaccessibility and anti-cancer activity.

Quercetin nanoparticles produced by wet-milling technique with enhanced dissolution rate, bioaccessibility, and antiproliferative activity on colon cancer cells

248th National Meeting (2014)

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