Physicochemical properties of glucomannan-alginate as vitamin C excipient

Abstract

This work investigated the physicochemical properties of glucomannan-alginate combination as an excipient of vitamin C encapsulation. The effects of glucomannan-alginate ratio, concentration of vitamin C and preparation method on the encapsulation physicochemical properties were studied. Swelling and solubility of the vitamin C encapsulation were determined in 2 pH conditions which mimic the environment pH of the stomach and the lower gastrointestinal tract. The ratio of glucomannan-alginate on swelling at both pHs had a similar impact on the solubility. Higher values of swelling and solubility were observed at pH 6.8 than those at pH 1.2. The second method preparation of 1:1 (w/w) ratio of glucomannan-alginate showed the most soluble excipient in pH 6.8. The highest viscosity was observed at encapsulation of 3% vitamin C prepared using the second method of 3:1 (w/w) of glucomannan-alginate.