Proceedings of 27th Annual Technological Advances in Science, Medicine and Engineering Conference 2023

Targeted delivery of nanominerals in small intestine using pH-responsive microcapsule for enhanced bioavailability and nutrition
Stuti Bhagat, Sanjay Singh
Abstract

A balanced diet is important to maintain a healthy life by supplementing the appropriate amount of essential minerals, vitamins and amino acids. Conventionally, ionic forms of minerals along with biomolecules are given as supplement with diet to overcome malnutrition. However, the ionic/chelated form of minerals interact with the acidic environment of gastrointestinal track and cause poor absorption in small intestine. Therefore, a high concentration of such supplements is required, which further causes toxicity. Nanoparticle-based formulations have shown several biomedical applications due to their small size (1-100 nm), high surface to volume ratio, easy surface modification, site-specific delivery, and controlled release, etc. It is well learned that vitamins, amino acids, and polysaccharides are predominantly absorbed in the small intestine. Therefore, it is expected that the nanoparticles (NPs) of mineral elements (nanominerals) coated with suitable biomolecules would enhance their absorption in small intestine. However, it is imperative to protect nanominerals from acidic environment of rumen and deliver it to small intestine to increase the absorption. In this study, we have synthesized biomolecules coated oxide nanoparticles of six essential mineral elements [Methionine coated zinc oxide NPs (Met-ZnONPs), ascorbic acid coated copper oxide NPs (AA-CuONPs), Thiamine coated cobalt oxide NPs (Thi-Co3O4 NPs), dextran coated manganese oxide NPs (Dex-MnO2NPs) and cerium oxide NPs (Dex-CeONPs) and polyethylene glycol coated iron oxide NPs (PEG-Fe2O3NPs)]. These nanominerals are further encapsulated in a pH-responsive microcapsule. The as synthesized nanominerals were characterized by various techniques such as dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy equipped with scanning electron microscope, and inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy etc. Various in vitro methods for free radical generation suggest that these nanominerals do not produce harmful radicals, whereas Dex-CeONPs and Dex-MnO2NPs showed excellent superoxide radical scavenging ability. Further, in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity study was performed in rat intestinal epithelial cell culture (IEC-6) model and data revealed that the nanominerals were biocompatible. The same concentration and incubation time of precursor ions found toxic to IEC-6 cells. Additionally, these nanominerals did not induce the reactive oxygen species generation nor cause any changes to the cell cycle and mitochondrial membrane potential. Further, the spherical nanomineral-loaded microcapsules, measuring ~450 μm in diameter, demonstrated biocompatibility and provided protection for the enclosed nanominerals against harsh pH (3-6) and temperature (4 – 90 ˚C). Results from in situ studies indicated that the microcapsules remained intact at acidic conditions (pH 3.0 - 6.5) and released their content above a pH of 6.8. Additionally, the microcapsules exhibited sustained release of nanoparticles over a 48-hour period when exposed to small intestine fluid (goat) with a pH > 7.2, but showed no release when incubated in rumen fluid with a pH-5.3. The pH-responsive nanominerals loaded microcapsules have the potential to effectively deliver nanominerals to the small intestine and protect them against acidic environment of the rumen, making them a promising alternative for improving nutrient absorption.


Last modified: 2023-06-18
Building: SickKids Hospital / University of Toronto
Room: Engineering Hall
Date: July 1, 2023 - 03:50 PM – 04:05 PM

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