{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Novel pH-sensitive gellan gum-ε-polylysine hydrogel microspheres for sulforaphene delivery.
{Author}: Qu Y;Li X;Chen X;Li J;Yu Z;Shen R;
{Journal}: J Sci Food Agric
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jul 24
{Factor}: 4.125
{DOI}: 10.1002/jsfa.13765
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>This study aimed to improve the stability and utilization of sulforaphene (SFE) and to enhance the intestinal stability and pH-sensitive release of SFE in the gastrointestinal tract. To achieve this objective, calcium chloride (CaCl2) was used as a crosslinking agent to fabricate novel SFE-loaded gellan gum (GG)-ε-polylysine (ε-PL) pH-sensitive hydrogel microspheres by using the ionic crosslinking technique.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The molecular docking results of GG, ε-PL, and SFE were good and occurred in the natural state. The loading efficiency (LE) of all samples was above 70%. According to the structural characterization results, GG and ε-PL successfully embedded SFE in a three-dimensional network structure through electrostatic interaction. The swelling characteristics and in vitro release results revealed that the microspheres were pH-sensitive, and SFE was mainly retained inside the hydrogel microsphere in the stomach, and subsequently released in the intestine. The result of cytotoxicity assay showed that the hydrogel microspheres were non-toxic and had an inhibitory effect on human colon cancer Caco-2 cells.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Thus, the hydrogel microspheres could improve SFE stability and utilization and achieve the intestinal targeted delivery of SFE. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.