Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing condition that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. It is primarily comprised of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and affects approx. 6.8 million people globally [1]. There is currently no cure for IBD. Medications are usually the first step in the treatment of IBD [2]. However, there is often unpleasant side effects such as headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, rash, fever, weight gain, osteoporosis, diabetes and muscle weakness amongst others [3]. Nutraceuticals such as curcumin have valuable properties that have the potential as an antioxidant, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent, which suggests it may be useful in the treatment of IBD [4]. However, curcumin has poor systemic bioavailability and therefore the effects of its valuable properties are not well observed [5]. Additionally, it is poorly soluble in water [6]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to entrap curcumin in a microsphere which would be later entrapped in a smart drug delivery system to improve the therapeutic efficacy of IBD.
Methods
Poly lactic acid (PLA) / polyethylene glycol (PEG) microspheres were prepared by emulsion and solvent evaporation technique. Briefly, a solution of curcumin and PLA/PEG polymer in dichloromethane were steadily poured into a 2 wt% polyvinyl alcohol solution. The mixture was mechanically stirred using magnetic flea for 6 hours (until organic solvent evaporated). The microspheres were then filtered from solution, dried and characterised. Curcumin release rate from microspheres was determined using phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and UV spectroscopy.
Results
Curcumin microspheres ranged in size from 45µm to greater than 180µm. Polymer ratio affected the size and yield of microspheres, with 51% (75% PLA) and 15% (50% PLA) yield reported. Higher PEG concentration decreased the total yield of microspheres.  The microspheres were optically viewed under light microscope at 10x magnification to determine the surface morphology. PLA/PEG microspheres were smooth, and elongated, whereas PLA microspheres were smooth and spherical. Average cumulative release of curcumin from 75% PLA and 50% PLA microspheres after 48 hours was 8% and 16%, respectively.
Conclusion
PLA/PEG microspheres have the potential as a carrier for curcumin, thereby mitigating the poor solubility issue. PEG is a hydrophilic polymer which increases the degradation rate of the microspheres, thereby increasing the release of curcumin. Future work involving ‘smart’ hydrogel drug and nutrient delivery system when combined with the PLA/PEG microspheres has the potential to improve the treatment and management of IBD.

**Introduction**
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing condition that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. It is primarily comprised of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and affects approx. 6.8 million people globally [1]. There is currently no cure for IBD. Medications are usually the first step in the treatment of IBD [2]. However, there is often unpleasant side effects such as headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, rash, fever, weight gain, osteoporosis, diabetes and muscle weakness amongst others [3]. Nutraceuticals such as curcumin have valuable properties that have the potential as an antioxidant, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent, which suggests it may be useful in the treatment of IBD [4]. However, curcumin has poor systemic bioavailability and therefore the effects of its valuable properties are not well observed [5]. Additionally, it is poorly soluble in water [6]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to entrap curcumin in a microsphere which would be later entrapped in a smart drug delivery system to improve the therapeutic efficacy of IBD.
**Methods**
Poly lactic acid (PLA) / polyethylene glycol (PEG) microspheres were prepared by emulsion and solvent evaporation technique. Briefly, a solution of curcumin and PLA/PEG polymer in dichloromethane were steadily poured into a 2 wt% polyvinyl alcohol solution. The mixture was mechanically stirred using magnetic flea for 6 hours (until organic solvent evaporated). The microspheres were then filtered from solution, dried and characterised. Curcumin release rate from microspheres was determined using phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and UV spectroscopy.
**Results**
Curcumin microspheres ranged in size from 45µm to greater than 180µm. Polymer ratio affected the size and yield of microspheres, with 51% (75% PLA) and 15% (50% PLA) yield reported. Higher PEG concentration decreased the total yield of microspheres.  The microspheres were optically viewed under light microscope at 10x magnification to determine the surface morphology. PLA/PEG microspheres were smooth, and elongated, whereas PLA microspheres were smooth and spherical. Average cumulative release of curcumin from 75% PLA and 50% PLA microspheres after 48 hours was 8% and 16%, respectively.
**Conclusion**
PLA/PEG microspheres have the potential as a carrier for curcumin, thereby mitigating the poor solubility issue. PEG is a hydrophilic polymer which increases the degradation rate of the microspheres, thereby increasing the release of curcumin. Future work involving ‘smart’ hydrogel drug and nutrient delivery system when combined with the PLA/PEG microspheres has the potential to improve the treatment and management of IBD.

Curcumin loaded microspheres for the management of inflammatory bowel disease

Modern nutrition science is young: It is less than one century since the first vitamin was isolated in 1926. Nutrition science stands upon research conducted by academia, the private sector, and nongovernmental organisations, often in collaboration across these sectors. Its evidence base is of fundamental importance to the solving of current challenges and complexities, optimising outcomes, and the prevention of harm.

In order to remain relevant, nutrition science must address the global challenges, including ensuring nutrition security for all, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in the context of the post-COVID era. It is timely to take stock and consider how nutrition science must move forward.

The conference is designed integrate three symposium sessions which will commence with reflection on historical exemplars of nutrition achievements, then moving the discussion to current challenges which face the discipline and will culminate in scoping the outlook for nutrition science going forward.