Chitosan-based nanosystem loaded with fruit by-product extracts for buccal candidiasis

• Grant number: 25/12761-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: October 20, 2025
• End date: October 19, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Milena Martelli Tosi
• Grantee: Letícia Alves de Carvalho
• Supervisor: Federica Bigucci
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università di Bologna, Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/12989-9 - Agro-industrial by-products: extraction of phytochemicals, encapsulation in chitosan-based particles and biological evaluation, BP.DR

Abstract

This project aims to develop chitosan-based nanosystems incorporating bioactive compounds extracted from acerola and passion fruit by-products. These extracts, rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, exhibit recognized antioxidant and antifungal properties, although their application is limited by low solubility, instability, and poor bioavailability. To overcome these barriers, two delivery systems will be proposed: Pickering emulsions stabilized with chitosan nanoparticles and TPP-chitosomes particles. Antifungal efficacy will be assessed against Candida albicans, a primary etiological agent of oral candidiasis, whose resistance to conventional antifungals underscores the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. The most promising nanosystem will be characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, Zeta potential, colloidal stability, mucoadhesive behavior, and in vitro release under simulated buccal conditions. This nanosystem will be incorporated into freeze-dried polymeric matrices tailored for buccal administration. The polymeric matrices will be evaluated for physical dimensions, mass, morphology via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hydration behavior through water-uptake analysis, and mucoadhesive performance. Furthermore, the release profile of encapsulated compounds and antifungal activity of the final formulations will be investigated under simulated buccal conditions. This research contributes to the development of sustainable, biopolymer-based delivery systems and highlights the potential of agro-industrial by-products as sources of bioactive compounds for the treatment of buccal candidiasis. (AU)