Physicochemical characteristics of fresh and lyophilized Georgian royal jelly and Formulation bentonite-based cream

Abstract

Royal Jelly (RJ) is one of the most valued and studied bee products used in medicine and cosmetics due to its diverse pharmacological properties. Chemical composition and biological activity of RJ depends on many factors, including constitution and geographical ​​distribution of plants, the harvest time and bee species. The objective of the present study was physico-chemical characterization and comparison of fresh and lyophilized RJ; and development dermatological formulation by incorporating RJ in Tikha Ascane base. The evaluations of RJ and RJ loaded formulations were performed by oven-dry, titrimetric, potentiometric, FTIR methods; 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the physical stability of the developed formulations was investigated by examining viscosity, spreadability, thermal and colloidal stabilities, pH, homogeneity and appearance. Lyophilized RJ displayed up to similar physico-chemical properties (solubility, pH, acidic number) as fresh RJ. The chromatographic analysis showed alike fingerprints and the existence of 10-HAD in tested samples. No spectral differences (in the range of 3600–2800 cm-1 and 1750–950 cm-1) were observed in FTIR measurements after lyophilization. The study shows that prepared formulations were found to be stable. The tested samples had appealing appearance with smooth texture and no signs of separation. Viscosity, homogeneity, spreadability, pH and release profile of RJ from the formulations were acceptable.