Preparation and Characterization of EEP Calcium Alginate-chitosan Microcapsules
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Abstract:
Microcapsules are capable of protecting substances from harsh environment conditions, covering up odor and color, reducing toxicity, prolonging the storage of volatile substances, and delaying or controlling the release of capsule core materials. Calcium alginate-chitosan microcapsules of the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) were prepared by complex coacervation and characterized using a particle-size analyzer, confocal laser-scanning microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, a simulated gastrointestinal-tract model, and a temperature-accelerated test. The results showed that EEP microcapsules were spherical, with a mean particle diameter of 265±25 nm, the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were 72.80±3.8% and 19.96±2.4%, respectively, and the in vitro release rate over 8 h was 46.60±0.80%. Content changes for seven compounds in EEP microcapsules analyzed by HPLC after a temperature-accelerated test ranged from 14.01% to 39.68%, which was lower than the 37.01% to 77.45% range observed in EEP. The prepared microcapsules exhibited small particle sizes and increased stability, with an appropriate release rate into the enteric system. These results indicated that the active substances encapsulated inside EEP microcapsules were well protected.
