Rheological and Viscoelastic Properties of Novel Sunflower Oil‐Span 40‐Biopolymer–Based Bigels and Their Role as a Functional Material in the Delivery of Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the mechanical properties of sunflower oil‐span 40‐natural gum bigels were evaluated. The bigels were prepared by mixing the oleogels of sunflower oil‐span 40 and the hydrogels of natural gums. The types of molecular interactions occurring were studied by FTIR spectroscopy. Rheological and textural behavior of the bigels was determined by dynamic rheological studies and a static mechanical tester. The Peleg and Normand equation was used to determine the viscoelastic behavior of the bigels. The efficiency of these food‐grade bigels as carriers for the delivery of metronidazole (model drug) was studied. In vitro drug release was carried out under physiological conditions. The antimicrobial efficiency of the bigels was checked against Escherichia coli. FTIR studies showed hydrogen bonding within the bigels as the major molecular interaction. The rheological and mechanical studies showed that the bigels exhibited pseudoplastic flow behavior. The bigels were viscoelastic in nature. Diffusion mediated drug release was observed. All the bigels showed an equal antimicrobial efficacy in comparison to the available marketed formulation.