Encapsulation of Lactoferrin for Sustained Release Using Particles from Gas-Saturated Solutions

Kento Ono,Tanjina Sharmin,Hiroki Sakai,Taku Michael Aida,Kenji Mishima,Shinichi Tokunaga

doi:10.3390/pr9010073

Abstract

The particles from gas saturated solutions (PGSS) process were performed to encapsulate lactofer-rin, an iron-binding milk glycoprotein, using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). A natural en-teric polymer, shellac, was used as a coating material of lactoferrin carried out by the PGSS pro-cess. Conditions were optimized by applying different temperatures (20–50 °C) and pressures (8–10 MPa) and the particles were evaluated for particle shape and size, lactoferrin encapsulation ef-ficiency, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm lactoferrin entrapment and in vitro dissolution studies at different pH values. Particles with an average diameter of 75.5 ± 7 μm were produced with encapsulation efficiency up to 71 ± 2%. Furthermore, particles that showed high stability in low pH (pH 1.2) and a sustained release over time (t2h = 75%) in higher pH (pH 7.4) suggested an effective encapsulation process for the protection of lactoferrin from gastric di-gestion.

Highlights

Using Particles from Gas-SaturatedLactoferrin (Lf) is an iron binding single-chain glycoprotein (MW~80 kDa, Figure 1a) which is naturally found in the milk of many mammals including humans and cows, as well as in the saliva, tears, and other secretions and in the secondary granules of neutrophils [1,2,3,4,5]
In vitro release study revealed that shellac coated Lf microcapsules could be
In vitro release study revealed that shellac coated Lf microcapsules could be resistant against acidic environment, and they would rapidly release Lf under mild alkali resistant against acidic environment, and they would rapidly release Lf under mild alkali conditions with an initial high followed by the slow and prolonged phase release

Summary

Introduction

Using Particles from Gas-SaturatedLactoferrin (Lf) is an iron binding single-chain glycoprotein (MW~80 kDa, Figure 1a) which is naturally found in the milk of many mammals including humans and cows, as well as in the saliva, tears, and other secretions and in the secondary granules of neutrophils [1,2,3,4,5]. Lf is abundantly present in the colostrum and milk and supports new born immune defence mechanisms [6,7]. Lf represents a powerful tool in adult host defence mechanism to stimulate the immune system and enhance the body’s protection against virus and bacteria [8,9,10]. Other physiological functions of Lf involve preventing tissue damage related to aging, promoting healthy intestinal bacteria [11], maintaining vaginal acidity by promoting growth of selected strains of probiotics [12], preventing cancer, etc. Lf survives gastric digestion because of the immature state of the neonatal gastrointestinal system, Lf is rapidly digested in the adult stomach due to enzymatic hydrolysis and fails to reach the Lf receptors (hLfRs) present in the small intestine. Protecting Lf from the gastric acidic environment and ensuring its delivery to the targeted site is a crucial issue

Methods

Results

Conclusion