Pectin/PEG food grade hydrogel blend for the targeted oral co-delivery of nutrients

Food grade oral delivery vehicles for the targeted delivery of nutrients are currently fabricated by adapting pharmaceutical approaches to promote human health. In this study, Ca2+ with vitamin D / Fe2+ with vitamin C were entrapped in edible pectin/PEG polymer blend matrix to obtain hydrogels namely PPCaD and PPFeC. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of pectin based hydrogels confirmed the existence of metal ion content in the hydrogel matrix and their corresponding interaction with the pectin matrix through electrostatic and hydrogen bonding. Rheological measurements revealed a higher elastic nature of PPCaD compared to PPFeC and were in good agreement with the swelling studies. In-vitro release studies concluded that the lowest release of metal ion and vitamin from the corresponding hydrogel samples in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) was observed at pH 1.2 for 3 h. It indicated that protection of nutrients from the gastric environment was conferred by the hydrogels. The release studies carried out in the next 3 h in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) at pH 6.8 indicated not only the highest swelling of the hydrogel samples but also the highest co-release of nutrients at the intestinal site.