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Preparation of stable enteric folic acid-loaded microfiber using the electrospinning method
Abbas Akhgari1,2, Pariya Iraji1, Niloufar Rahiman3,4
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
|June 3, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed pH-sensitive, electrospun microfibers to improve folic acid stability and delivery. The optimized formulation shows high entrapment efficiency and sustained release, suggesting potential for enhanced bioavailability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Folic acid is crucial but faces stability issues due to stomach acidity, low solubility, and poor bioavailability.
- Developing advanced delivery systems is key to overcoming these limitations for effective supplementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create enteric oral folic acid-loaded microfibers using a pH-sensitive polymer and electrospinning.
- To enhance folic acid's stability, solubility, and bioavailability through a novel microfiber formulation.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning was employed to fabricate folic acid-loaded microfibers, varying drug ratios and voltages.
- Characterization included mechanical strength, acidic resistance, drug release studies, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
Main Results:
- The optimal formulation (1.25% drug/polymer at 18 kV) exhibited >90% entrapment efficiency and >70% acid resistance.
- Mechanical properties were confirmed via tensile testing; DSC and XRD indicated folic acid's amorphous state within the fibers.
- FTIR confirmed a chemical bond between folic acid and the polymer, with ~90% drug release within 60 minutes.
Conclusions:
- The developed folic acid-loaded microfibers demonstrate excellent mechanical properties and stability.
- This optimized formulation is a promising candidate for future bioavailability studies, addressing folic acid's delivery challenges.
