ARS | Publication request: Pectin/zein hydrogels for the delivery of drugs and nutrients

Submitted to: Food Hydrocolloids Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: June 17, 2011
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Two pectin/zein coacervates were prepared with either calcium ions or zinc ions. Piroxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was encapsulated. It was found that at lower solution pH the release of piroxicam displayed a near zero order kinetics, whether the coacervates were cross-linked with calcium or zinc. At neutral solution pH, the release of piroxicam from zinc cross-linked coacervates showed a much longer duration than that from calcium cross-linked ones. This may be attributed to the difference in swelling degree between the two types of drug carriers. Zinc cross-linked one swelled less at neutral pH than the calcium cross-linked ones, as revealed by microscopic examination and solution turbidity measurements.