Enhancement of the Physicochemical Properties of Brazilian Red Propolis Using Gelucire-Based Microencapsulation

Red propolis is renowned for its versatility as a natural product with numerous pharmacological activities. However, its pharmacological efficacy is constrained by its hydrophobic nature, leading to poor oral bioavailability and absorption. Encapsulation, particularly through spray-drying, offers a promising strategy to overcome this limitation by improving solubility and stability. This study evaluated the impact of Gelucire 50/13 (G), a surfactant known for enhancing the aqueous solubility and bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs, on the physicochemical properties of encapsulated red propolis extract (RPE). The extract was characterized to determine its solid content and total flavonoid content (TFC). Encapsulation of RPE in Gelucire was followed by spray-drying using three carriers: Arabic gum, octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)-modified starch, and maltodextrin. For comparison, plain RPE was also spray-dried using the same carriers. The encapsulated formulations were characterized for their physicochemical properties, including water activity, moisture content, and solubility, as well as qualitative chemical integrity, assessed using HPLC analysis. The TFC of RPE was determined to be 13.11 mg of the quercetin equivalent. RPE-Gelucire formulations demonstrated improved spray-drying yields and superior physicochemical properties compared to plain RPE formulations. Additionally, HPLC analysis confirmed the preservation of the extract's chemical profile postencapsulation. These findings highlight the potential of Gelucire-based spray-drying encapsulation with carriers to enhance the solubility, stability, and physicochemical properties of the Brazilian red propolis extract.