Electrospray‐assisted fabrication of core‐shell arabinoxylan gel particles for insulin and probiotics entrapment

Abstract

This work presents the fabrication and characterization of electro-sprayed core-shell particles that were composed of maize bran arabinoxylans (MBAX) with insulin in the core, and maize wastewater arabinoxylans (MWAX) with Bifidobacterium in the shell. Two concentrations of MBAX (3% and 6% w/v) and MWAX (6% and 10% w/v) were evaluated. The particles fabricated with MBAX at 6% (w/v) in the core and MWAX at 10% (w/v) in the shell were more stable, presented spherical shape and no aggregation being therefore selected to be loaded with insulin and probiotics. These particles presented a size of 2.9 mm. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the particle cross section revealed the presence of both, a smooth (shell) and a porous (core) microstructure. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the core-shell structure of the particles and the viability of the probiotic entrapped. Gastrointestinal simulation strongly suggests that these particles are not degraded in the stomach and small intestine and that 76% of the carried insulin is released in colon. These results indicate that insulin and Bifidobacterium encapsulation by tetraaxial electro spraying can be a feasible and adequate technique to produce arabinoxylan capsules containing both insulin and probiotics. V C 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46411.

Tailoring reversible insulin aggregates loaded in electrosprayed arabinoxylan microspheres intended for colon‐targeted delivery

“…A microspheres yield of 53.5 ± 3.8% and an insulin loading of 34.5 ± 1.3% were obtained for AX microspheres at 2% (w/v). The value obtained for encapsulation efficiency was 71.3 ± 2.7%, which is similar to those reported in alginate microspheres (65–79%w/w) and AX‐insulin beads (72%) …”

“…The microspheres size distribution is presented in Figure (b), the primary size population was found between 150 and 300 μm and the mean particle diameter was 233 μm. This average diameter size is smaller than that reported for other AX spheres (531 μm to 2.9 mm) …”

“…Besides, AX gels are a source of dietary fiber, and both noncrosslinked and crosslinked AX have been previously reported to be fermented by intestinal microbiota . Considering the aforementioned characteristics, AX gels have been studied as matrices for controlled release of proteins and have been suggested as potential candidates for colon‐targeted insulin delivery …”

Partial removal of protein associated with arabinoxylans: Impact on the viscoelasticity, crosslinking content, and microstructure of the gels formed

“…These gels have the ability to entrap and control the release of model biomolecules such as lycopene, lactoglobulin, and insulin . In addition, they can be used for the encapsulation of yeast and probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacteria) . Recently, the entrapment of probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacteria) and insulin in core–shell AX gel particles were evaluated.…”

“…Recently, the entrapment of probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacteria) and insulin in core–shell AX gel particles were evaluated. The simulation of gastrointestinal conditions demonstrated that 76% of the insulin carried is released in the colon, indicating that these gels could be used as an alternative system for the delivery of insulin and probiotics targeted to colon for the treatment of diabetes . Considering that AX gels can be degraded by the colonic microbiota and exhibit antioxidant activity, they could be considered as an excellent alternative for the development of colon‐targeted drug delivery systems for the treatment of diseases such as diabetes and colon cancer …”