title: New aspects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a novel carrier for berberine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Berberine was encapsulated in yeast cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as novel carriers to be used in different food and drug industries. The microcapsules were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and fluorescence microscopy. The encapsulation factors such as plasmolysis of yeast cells which affects the % encapsulation yield were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fluorescence microscopy showed the yeast cells became fluorescent after encapsulation process. DSC diagram was representing of new peak for microcapsule which was not the same as berberine and the empty yeast cells peaks, separately. FTIR spectrums of microcapsules and yeast cells were almost the same. The plasmolysed and non plasmolysed microcapsules were loaded with berberine up to about 40.2 ± 0.2% w/w.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analytical methods proved that berberine was encapsulated in the yeast cells. Fluorescence microscopy and FTIR results showed the entrance of berberine inside the yeasts. DSC diagram indicated the appearance of new peak which is due to the synthesis of new product. Although plasmolysis caused changes in yeast cell structure and properties, it did not enhance berberine loading in the cells. The results confirmed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae could be an efficient and safe carrier for active materials.
authors.forename: Roshanak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salari
authors.forename: Bibi Sedigheh Fazly
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Bazzaz
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rajabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug and Food Control, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. khashaiarmaneshz@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khashyarmanesh