Microsphere formulation of quercetin-pectin from red dragon skin: Comparison of encapsulation techniques

Background: Quercetin can be enhanced by creating microspheres using polymers, with the quality of these microspheres influenced by manufacturing processes and polymer type. Objectives: This study compares high-speed stirring with ultra-turrax (method 1) and peristaltic dosing pumps (method 2) for producing quercetin-pectin microspheres. Methods: The method employed involves the production of quercetin-pectin microspheres by the ionic gelation process. Six formulas were created for each method, utilizing pectin extracted from red dragon skin with oxalic acid, as well as commercial apple pectin and orange peel pectin at concentrations of 1% and 1.5%. Parameters were evaluated, including FTIR, yield, moisture content (MC), polydispersity index, particle size, drug loading (DL), encapsulation efficiency (EE), Scanning Electron Microscope, Carr’s Index, Hausner ratio, swelling index and in vitro drug release. Results: Results showed that the yield obtained ranged for method 1: 83.27-96.37%; yield for method 2: 84.13-93.87%; swelling index of method 1: 92.8±3.25-96.2±3.26%; swelling index of method 2: 94.5±3.41-97.7±2.43%; MC of method 1: 2.58±0.31-3.64±0.57%; MC of method 2: 2.93±0.15-3.64±0.27%; PDI of both method is 0.003%; DL of method 1 was 2.03±0.11-2.37±0.77%; DL of method 2 was 2.75±0.03-2.94±0.51%; EE of method 1 was 70.34±0.72-83.78±1.47%; EE of method 2 was 73.49±0.89-90.61±1.49% in vitro release up to 600 minutes for method 1 was 67.83±5.88-91.94±5.84%; for method 2 was 69.64±3.14-92.29±4.82. The FTIR profile exhibits resemblances between the two approaches, indicating the existence of O-H, C-O, and C-H groups, suggesting commonalities in the composition of quercetin and pectin molecules. The results of the study showed that microspheres produced using a custom-made peristaltic dosing pump yielded better DL, EE, release test, Carr's index, and Hausner ratio values compared to those produced using method 1 (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Peristaltic dosing pumps produce higher yields, exhibiting enhanced spherical morphology and demonstrate improved microsphere performance relative to ultra-turrax.