Preparation of alginate-CaCl2 microspheres as resveratrol carriers

Resveratrol-loaded calcium alginate microspheres for prolonged drug release were prepared by ionic gelation of alginate with calcium chloride (CaCl2). Further, resveratrol-loaded calcium alginate microspheres were developed using two concentrations of alginate (0.5 and 1 % w/v) and CaCl2 (0.5 and 1 M) and an encapsulator equipped with a 300-mu m nozzle. The mean particle size of the microspheres was between 175.52 and 244.03 mu m, and an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of over 95 % was observed. FTIR spectroscopy indicated a polyelectrolyte interaction between alginate and CaCl2; alginate microsphere thermograms were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. X-ray diffraction shows the crystalline change of microspheres by cross linking. The release profiles and EE increased depending on the CaCl2 concentration, and a slow initial burst release was observed on freeze-dried microspheres. These results indicate that resveratrol-loaded calcium alginate microspheres can be used as a potential resveratrol delivery system in the food industry.