Tailoring of release properties of folic acid encapsulated nanoparticles via changing alginate and pectin composition in the matrix

Nanoparticles facilitating sustained or controlled release of bioactive agents have been ubiquitously researched in many fields. The aim of this study was to tailor the release properties of folic acid encapsulated nanoparticles of alginate and pectin in gastrointestinal pHs, varying the matrix composition. The pectin content was increased up to 70%. The encapsulation efficiencies and loading capacities of the nanoparticles of size 200–400 nm varied from 44% to 92% and from 0.4% to 0.9%, respectively. The nanoparticles showed controlled release behavior with no/negligible release at pH 2. 100%-alginate nanoparticles exhibiting excellent release at pHs 6 and 7.4 showed first-order release behavior. A change in the release mechanism from non-Fickian anomalous release to non-Fickian case II release occurred with increasing pectin content. Briefly, tailoring the release kinetics and mechanisms of folic acid encapsulated nanoparticles by varying the alginate to pectin ratio may be exploited in designing nutraceuticals or functional foods.