Alginate-chitosan encapsulated iron oxide (Fe3O4)-sweet basil oil (SBO) nanoparticles for intestinal delivery in animal nutrition.

Nanotechnology is considered a promising approach to enhance the functionality of phytobiotics, that promote animal health. This study aimed to fabricate iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) coated with alginate (SA)-chitosan (CS) for the delivery of sweet basil oil (SBO). Fe3O4-SBO-SA-CS was characterised in terms of its physicochemical properties, safety, in vitro release, and stability. Fe3O4-SBO was successfully modified with SA-CS polysaccharides, as evidenced by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Thermal stability of SBO was enhanced by being incorporated into Fe3O4-SA-CS, whereas Fe3O4-SBO-SA-CS exhibited high antioxidant with broad-spectrum antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus. The release was 73.79% with a phenolic compound content of 82.85 mg GAE/g in simulated intestinal fluid. The Fe3O4-SBO-SA-CS effectively protected SBO activity under acid, bile salt and storage. Therefore, Fe3O4-SBO-SA-CS demonstrated the potential not only to protect and deliver SBO to the target site but also to support its safe application in animal nutrition.