No abstract

Recently, a lot of strategies have been developed to enhance oral protein delivery. The combination of biodegradable polymer which is alginate-inulin as the material for hydrogel matrices was studied as a carrier of BSA which was used as a model protein. The effects of different formulations on the BSA release profile in physiological saline was investigated. Meanwhile, the compatibility of protein and polymer was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy. High BSA encapsulation efficiency was found with the increase of inulin amount in the hydrogel matrices. The BSA release pattern showed that the minor released of BSA in simulated gastric fluid, SGF pH (1.2) throughout 2 hours’ incubation and after changing the solution into simulated intestinal fluid, SIF pH (7.4) the protein release started to increase gradually up to 100% within 90 minutes. Incorporation of inulin in the alginate beads also resulted in improved BSA release in physiological saline solution. In addition, swelling behavior revealed that highest swelling rate of hydrogel was in alkali solution indicating that alginate-inulin hydrogels were influenced by the pH of test medium. The FT-IR results show that encapsulating matrices are compatible with protein and can be used as drug carrier. Therefore, the alginate-inulin hydrogel showing a good efficiency in oral administration of protein drug.