Abstract

EVALUATION OF FREEZE-DRIED ENCAPSULATED CASTOR OIL WITH DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF GUM ARABIC (ACACIA SENEGAL) AS A WALL MATERIAL

Sondos Ashour*, Suad Elkarib and Khadiga Elnimiri

ABSTRACT

Castor oil is an essential oil that is used medically as an effective safe laxative, but its unpleasant taste and high thickness limit patient comfort when administering it. Encapsulation of castor oil can lead to the manufacture of new dosage forms (ex: tablets, Capsules, sachets...etc.) that have more patient acceptability, also more combinations with other active ingredients can be developed. This study aimed to encapsulate castor oil and evaluate the influence of different concentrations of Gum Arabic (acacia senegal) as a wall material on the characteristics of the yielded castor oil powder. four oil-in-water emulsions were prepared; different concentrations of Gum Arabic (15%,20%,25%, and 30%) as a wall material was mixed with a fixed amount of castor oil (0.2 ml), powders obtained after the freeze-drying process were characterized regarding physical properties, stability, moisture content, and UV-Vis spectroscopy absorption. All powders were milky white, and odorless with a crystalline shape and high stability. The results showed that increasing gum arabic concentration increased particle crystallization and moisture content.b Based on the study, it was concluded that gum arabic is a suitable material to use on its own as a wall material for viscous oils like castor oil while maintaining good stability. However, this study is only the beginning, and more research and experimentation are needed to validate the results and develop a new dosage form.

Keywords: Encapsulation; Freeze-drying; Castor oil; Gum Arabic.