ENCAPSULATION OF STELLARIA MEDIA EXTRACT IN ALGINATE BEADS BY USING A NOVEL METHOD FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE

Stellaria media of the plant family Caryophyllaceae, is a promising herb due to its phytochemical composition and its biological effect, such antioxidant capacity and reduction of obesity.From the point of view of phytochemicals composition, the S. media is composed of phenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. The aim of our study was to find a method to encapsulate of S. media extract using alginate matrix beads and to monitor the released efficiency from the matrix in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Alginate is a polymer with a three-dimensional network resistant to acid pH but allows the penetration into the network of hydrophilic molecules at alkaline pH. The size, shape and procedure of the extract incorporation into the sodium alginate microcapsules were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and byoptical microscope images. Our results demonstrated that the method development for the encapsulation of S. media extract is a suitable method to obtain gastro-resistant microcapsules and controlled release in the intestine.