Curcumin and curcumin-β-cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complex were successfully encapsulated in almond gum/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers using electrospinning procedure. The release mechanisms and kinetics of encapsulated curcumin and curcumin-βCD inclusion complex were evaluated in simulated gastrointestinal and simulated saliva conditions. The release data were fitted to zero order, Kopcha, Korsmeyer-Peppas, and Higuchi models to evaluate release mechanisms and kinetics. The controlled release of curcumin in simulated gastrointestinal and simulated saliva conditions showed that the nanofibers containing complex had the higher release in comparison of only curcumin at all time points. This can be related to the higher solubility of curcumin incorporated into the βCD. The release profile of curcumin and its complex were similar. Release kinetics of curcumin and its complex in both simulated gastrointestinal and simulated saliva conditions followed a Fickian diffusion mechanism. The release data were well fitted with Kopcha, Korsmeyer-Peppas, and Higuchi models with R² values higher than 0.9176.

Infant foods have a special place among food products mainly because of nutritional aspects and preparations methods. A great increase of baby foods incomes is predicted in near future. Formulation, handling, and storage of baby foods are important to keep nutritional quality and physicochemical properties of these foods. During storage some reactions and interactions occur which change physicochemical and nutritional properties of baby foods. Lactose crystallization, Maillard reaction, oxidation, and interactions between micronutrients and other components are the most important aspect of preparation and storage of baby foods. These reactions and interactions influence physical properties such as flowability of powder, solubility, and other functional properties. Controlling of storage conditions such as temperature and moisture content and oxygen quantity in headspace of product is required to keep product quality. In this paper the composition and interactions of baby foods between major components and their effect on nutritional quality of baby foods are explained.