Vitamin C encapsulation by a gelation method using deacetylated glucomannan as a matrix

Abstract

Encapsulation is a promising method for preventing the interaction of an active agent with the environment. Efficacious encapsulation relies on the compatibility of the active compound and the encapsulant. As an active agent, vitamin C is easily degraded due to oxidation, high temperature, and other extreme environmental conditions, hence it requires protection. Glucomannan has the potential to provide vitamin C matrix encapsulation. However, the glucomannan needs to be modified to optimize its compatibility with vitamin C. In this research, glucomannan was modified using Na2CO3. This study aimed to determine the impact of the deacetylation process in encapsulating vitamin C using a gelation method. The loading capacity of vitamin C was in line with the degree of deacetylation. The highest degree of deacetylation (87.95%) allowed loading 84.9% of vitamin C. The functional groups, morphological surface, and particle distribution were modified due to the deacetylation and encapsulation processes. Release of vitamin C from deacetylated glucomannan was determined in two pH solutions, i.e., pH 1.2 and 6.8 solutions. The Korsmeyer–Peppas model was fitted to the release of vitamin C from deacetylated glucomannan at pH 1.2 (R2 > 0.892) and at pH 6.8 (R2 > 0.772). This study suggested the strong potential of deacetylated glucomannan as an encapsulating agent for vitamin C using a gelation method.