The layer by layer (LbL) technique leads generation of tailorable coatings and has broad range of applications. We aimed at employing the LbL for a targeted delivery system using sequential adsorption of oppositely charged chitosan and derivative of oat β-glucan. A coating based on such system can be used to protect its content against acidic stomach and release it to the human colon i.e. by enzymatic degradation. The use of sulfated β-glucan in LbL coating allows combining the prebiotic effect of β-glucan with protection ability of chitosan under acidic conditions. Oat β-glucan was modified by sulfation reaction in order to introduce negative charges and chitosan was used as positively charged biopolymer below pH 6.5. The bio-coatings were investigated via <i>in situ</i> QCM-D and AFM for their ability to form assembled multilayers and material properties i.e. structure and rigidity as well as resistance to simulated gastrointestinal environment and degradation with model chosen bacterial enzyme, β-glucanase. Results showed reproducible and non-rigid multilayer formation. Bio-coatings were resistant to gastric stress when exposed to simulated gastric fluid. Moreover, coatings were partially degraded with simulated intestinal fluid as a result of interactions with bile salts and β-glucanase. Partial degradation can potentially release the coated molecules i.e. probiotic bacteria to the intestine or favor access of microflora to prebiotic coating material. Therefore, a delivery system based on LbL coating of chitosan and sulfated β-glucan can be utilized as carriers releasing bioactive molecules. Since this system will be applied for coating of probiotic bacteria in the frame of our research, related results will also be presented.

Targeted delivery system based on chitosan and sulfated β-glucan for the colon

251st National Meeting (2016)

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