In vitro validation of colon delivery of vitamin B2 through a food grade multi-unit particle system

What is it about?

Targeted delivery of active ingredients to the lower intestine is frequently applied in pharmaceutical products, however, in functional food and beverage applications as well as dietary supplements this is rare. We describe a double layer coated multi-unit particle system (MUPS) consisting of food grade materials shellac as outer layer, alginate as inner layer, cellulose as a core and riboflavin as active ingredient. The suitability of the MUPS for lower intestine delivery was tested in three well-established in vitro digestion and fermentation models. All systems confirmed the integrity of the MUPS under simulated upper gastrointestinal tract conditions with approximately 90% of the active ingredient being released in the lower intestine to modulate the gut microbiota beneficially. Following the recent announcement of the European Commission to restrict intentionally added microplastics to products, the materials used in the described formulation offer an environmentally friendly alternative often applied methyl acrylate based coatings.

Featured Image