Solubility and stability of curcumin in solutions containing alginate and other viscosity modifying macromolecules. Studies of curcumin and curcuminoids. XXX

The solubility, chemical- and photochemical stability of curcumin in aqueous solutions containing alginate, gelatin or other viscosity modifying macromolecules have been investigated in order to obtain an alternative to the use of surfactants or cyclodextrins. The solubility of curcumin in aqueous solution at pH 5 increased by a factor > or = 10(4) in the presence of 0.5% (w/v) alginate (various qualities) or gelatin compared to plain buffer, while propylene glycol alginate ester, cesapectin and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose did not have a similar solubilizing effect. The solubilization was slightly influenced by pH, ionic strength and type and concentration of buffer salts. The macromolecules do, however, not stabilize towards hydrolytic- or photolytic degradation of curcumin.