Physico-chemical and structural characterization of mixed natural polymer hydrogels under simulated gastrointestinal fluid

Agustina Ari Murti Budi Hastuti; Khadijah Zai; Puput Risdanareni; Rahmi Karolina; Irfan Mustafa

doi:10.22146/ijp.6241

Agustina Ari Murti Budi Hastuti Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia; Center of Excellence Institute for Halal Industry and Systems (PUI-PT IHIS), Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
Khadijah Zai Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia.
Puput Risdanareni Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, State University of Malang, Semarang Street 5, Malang 65145, Indonesia
Rahmi Karolina Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
Irfan Mustafa Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia

Keywords: hydrogel, simulated gastrointestinal fluid, swelling, FTIR, SEM

Abstract

The gastrointestinal track has a varied pH, from an acidic pH in the stomach to a slightly basic pH in the intestine. The pH difference creates problems for the delivery of drugs and nutrients, as the active compounds may not survive the changing pH. Incorporating active ingredients into hydrogels can protect the compounds from degradation. Natural polymer hydrogel is preferable because of its safety and compatibility. However, a suitable formula should be optimized to facilitate suitable delivery in the gastrointestinal track. In this study, we produced hydrogels with 10 different formulas of mixed natural polymers: CMC (C), alginate (A), chitosan (X), and/or guar gum (G). The resulting hydrogels were characterized using swelling performance tests at pH 2 and 6.8, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hydrogels with the formula of C50A25X25, C25A50X25, C25A50G25, C25A25G50, C25A50X12.5G12.5, and C25A25X25G25 are not digested at pH 2, but those hydrogels are digested at pH 6.8. The FTIR spectra of the hydrogels show functional groups of O–H, C=O, C–O, and C–H. Meanwhile, the SEM results show cracking phenomena on the surface of the hydrogels C50A25X12.5G12.5, C25A50X12.5G12.5, and C25A25X25G25. This study offers a general guide for the development of a natural polymer hydrogel as a suitable nutrient vehicle in the gastrointestinal track. Formulation of each type of nutrient should be optimized for optimum delivery to the designated part of the gastrointestinal track.

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