Periodic Report Summary - AYURVEDA (Colloidal delivery systems for phytochemicals; Ayurveda)
The objective of this project was to apply principles of colloid science to develop delivery systems of phytochemicals from ayurvedic origin in order to overcome their formulation and delivery challenges. To achieve these objectives, phytochemicals of interest to foods were selected based on the literature survey and internal meetings. Problems associated with these phytochemicals were identified and suitable delivery systems were developed using biopolymers as carrier materials. The delivery systems were then characterised and subjected to in-vitro evaluation.
Well known phytochemicals like silibinin and quercetin were formulated as colloidal particles using biopolymers like shellac (resin) and zein (hydrophobic protein) and as carrier materials. Formulation of these actives in colloidal format resulted in enhancement of their water dispersibility, pH stability and photo stability. Due to the properties of carrier materials (pH dependent solubility), delivery systems had added functionalities like controlled release.
Colloidal interaction of phytochemical like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) - a green tea polyphenol with polymer (methyl cellulose) was exploited to generate novel microstructures and their applications for the delivery of actives and flavours were demonstrated.
Colloidal particles were also generated based on the molecular interactions of three different phytochemicals (polyphenol, alkaloid and saponin) having lipid lowering potential. The three phytochemicals used to generate colloidal particles included tannic acid, berberine and glycyrrhizin.
In conclusion, we demonstrated that the principles of colloid science could be successfully applied to fabricate delivery systems based on the specific interactions of various phytochemicals with carrier materials. Results obtained through this project depicts that molecular interactions of phytochemicals could be effectively exploited to develop novel nano / micro structures which could be further used for delivery purposes. This generic approach of developing delivery systems based on the molecular interactions of phytochemicals would be helpful for R&D formulators and researchers working in the field of natural products for foods and pharmaceutical applications. Through this project we have built collaborations with researchers based in Unilever R&D in United States, India and China.
Well known phytochemicals like silibinin and quercetin were formulated as colloidal particles using biopolymers like shellac (resin) and zein (hydrophobic protein) and as carrier materials. Formulation of these actives in colloidal format resulted in enhancement of their water dispersibility, pH stability and photo stability. Due to the properties of carrier materials (pH dependent solubility), delivery systems had added functionalities like controlled release.
Colloidal interaction of phytochemical like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) - a green tea polyphenol with polymer (methyl cellulose) was exploited to generate novel microstructures and their applications for the delivery of actives and flavours were demonstrated.
Colloidal particles were also generated based on the molecular interactions of three different phytochemicals (polyphenol, alkaloid and saponin) having lipid lowering potential. The three phytochemicals used to generate colloidal particles included tannic acid, berberine and glycyrrhizin.
In conclusion, we demonstrated that the principles of colloid science could be successfully applied to fabricate delivery systems based on the specific interactions of various phytochemicals with carrier materials. Results obtained through this project depicts that molecular interactions of phytochemicals could be effectively exploited to develop novel nano / micro structures which could be further used for delivery purposes. This generic approach of developing delivery systems based on the molecular interactions of phytochemicals would be helpful for R&D formulators and researchers working in the field of natural products for foods and pharmaceutical applications. Through this project we have built collaborations with researchers based in Unilever R&D in United States, India and China.