Chitosan-Coated Alginate Microcapsules of a Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract: Characterization, Long-Term Stability and In Vitro Bioaccessibility

Abstract

Cannabinoids present in Cannabis sativa are increasingly used in medicine due to their therapeutic potential. Moreover, the synergistic interaction between different cannabinoids and other plant constituents has led to the development of full-spectrum formulations for therapeutic treatments. In this work, the microencapsulation of a full-spectrum extract via vibration microencapsulation nozzle technique using chitosan-coated alginate is proposed to obtain an edible pharmaceutical-grade product. The suitability of microcapsules was assessed by their physicochemical characterization, long-term stability in three different storage conditions and in vitro gastrointestinal release. The synthetized microcapsules contained mainly ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-type and cannabinol (CBN)-type cannabinoids and had a mean size of 460 ± 260 µm and a mean sphericity of 0.5 ± 0.3. The stability assays revealed that capsules should be stored only at 4 °C in darkness to maintain their cannabinoid profile. In addition, based on the in vitro experiments, a fast intestinal release of cannabinoids ensures a medium–high bioaccessibility (57–77%) of therapeutically relevant compounds. The full characterization of microcapsules indicates that they could be used for the design of further full-spectrum cannabis oral formulations.

Stabilization of Black Locust Flower Extract via Encapsulation Using Alginate and Alginate–Chitosan Microparticles

“…These values indicate the absence of an ideal spherical morphology in the majority of prepared microparticles; i.e., the prepared microparticles belong to an elongated shape ( SF > 0.07). This is in correlation with the other available literature data [ 67 ]. The absence of sphericity in the microparticles can lead to a reduction in their mechanical and chemical resistance [ 68 ].…”

“…The remaining amount of extract was not encapsulated because of its loss and the rapid degradation of unstable compounds during the encapsulation process. Villate et al [67] also obtained a similar encapsulation efficiency.…”

“…After 6 h in SIF, exactly 60.11% and 56.56% of antioxidants were released from alginate and alginate–chitosan microparticles, respectively. Villate et al [ 67 ] reported an analogous in vitro release profile of cannabinoids from alginate–chitosan microparticles using a similar model. In their study, the cumulative release of cannabinoids in SGF during the first 2 h was significantly lower (about 20% of the total encapsulated compound).…”

How Biodegradable Polymers Can be Effective Drug Delivery Systems for Cannabinoids? Prospectives and Challenges

“… - - - - - - Stability study exhibited t 1/2 between 2 and 5 weeks, except CBD (60 days), THCA (90 days) and CBN (170 days). [ 256 ] Microdepot Full-spectrum Cannabis extract: CBD, CBDA, THC, CBG, CBC, CBDV, CBDVA, THCV, CBGA PCL 257.80 ± 2.49 µm EE between 90% and 103.5% In PBS pH 7.4: 70% of CBD, 52–64% of CBDV, CBG, THC and CBC was released within 21 days. - - Adult male mice - Sustained drug delivery with close to zero-order kinetics during 1 st week and slower release rate within 2 nd week.…”

“…Allowing the creation of formulations with specific desired properties, any Cannabis extract can be encapsulated using a customizable synthesis pathway. 256 …”