Preparation and characterization of pH-responsive microgel using arabinoxylan from wheat bran for BSA delivery

Wheat bran arabinoxylan (AX) discard from wheat production was utilized to form pH-responsive microgels. AX was modified by carboxymethylation, and the carboxymethylated arabinoxylans (CMAX) were characterized by FT-IR, NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and rheological analysis. The CMAX microgel was cross linked by Fe3+ using an inverse emulsification polymerization. The morphology, particle size, pH sensitivity, and mechanism of cross-linking between COO- and Fe3+ of the CMAX microgel was investigated. The CMAX microgel was used to be an oral protein drug carrier. The CMAX microgel particles exhibited a stable spherical structure. FT-IR spectral analysis of the CMAX microgel indicated that the microgel was crosslinked by bridging Fe3+ and COO- with unidentate binding. The CMAX microgel exhibited good pH sensitivity and high stability in acid condition. Additionally, BSA was used as the embedding protein, and the controlled release effect of CMAX microgel was explored in gastrointestinal tract simulation.

Automated summary

The study focused on utilizing wheat bran arabinoxylan to form pH-responsive microgels for oral protein drug delivery. The modified CMAX microgel showed high stability and pH sensitivity, while the controlled release effect in gastrointestinal tract simulation was explored using BSA as the embedding protein. This research provides a new approach for improving protein drug delivery systems.