CONTROLLED RELEASE OF WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS FROM CHITOSAN FILMS PREPARED IN ELECTRIC FIELD

摘要

Water-soluble vitamins are responsible for many biochemical functions in the human body, and are mainly supplied by the diet. Riboflavin (known as vitamin B2) plays a key role in energy metabolism, and for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It also works as an antioxidant and might have direct medical effect in the treatment of anemia, cataracts and migraine headache. Naturally occurring polymers like chitosan have been suggested as vehicles for encapsulation of active compounds due to their unique properties such as good biocompatibility, nontoxicity, biodegradability and antimicrobial properties. They have also been widely used in the food industry, serve as dietary fibre and are not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. It has been reported that chitosan has its own bioactivity and can suppress plasma cholesterol levels. Its capability of gelation in aqueous medium makes it preferable as encapsulation matrix as far as it minimizes the chances of loss of activity or damage of the encapsulated active compounds, protects them against harsh conditions into gastrointestinal tract and enhances their absorption.