ABSTRACT
The solubilization and protection of curcumin (Cur) by mixed surfactants were studied through the determination about the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the mixed surfactants of Tween 80 and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), molar solubilization ratio (MSR), degradation rate (k) of Cur in pH 13 solution and mixed surfactant solutions prepared at pH 13. The results showed that when Tween 80 was used alone, it exhibited high solubilization ability but poor stability. DTAB was used alone, it showed strong stability but poor solubilization ability. When DTAB was mixed with Tween 80 at different mole fractions, the stability of Cur was enhanced, and the best stability was observed when the mole fraction of DTAB was 0.4, although the solubilization ability was not the best at this mole fraction, but MSR was increased by 1.7 times compared to DTAB used alone. Mixed surfactant not only increased the solubility but also improved the stability of Cur. In addition, mixed surfactant has the advantages of less dosage and low toxicity, which is worth popularizing in application.