Delivering Bioactives
Delivering Bioactives
Research Lead: Dr Alf Garcia-Bennett, Macquarie University
The bioavailability of antioxidants, vitamins and other macronutrients is well known to be affected by the complex matrix (carbohydrate, polysaccharide, lipid etc.) around the active. Release of the nutrient from the food matrix, digestive enzymes, binding and uptake by the intestinal mucosa, transfer across the gut wall to the blood or lymphatic circulation, systemic distribution, metabolic and functional use, and excretion, all affect nutrient bioavailability. This Theme will focus on a range of bioactives to provide an analytical and experimental framework for delivery of a range of poorly soluble bioactive molecules, evaluating key differences in bioavailability between diverse matrices and formulations as well as the potential for varying administration routes.
Of importance are the unique analytical capabilities available within FAAB for the characterisation of bioactives within complex formulations (DSC/TGA, XRD, N2-Sorption isotherms, TEM, SEM, etc.) in combination with in vitro dissolution validation of formulations (USP-I,II dissolution equipment, automated UV-sampling, HPLC, etc.) as well as the in vivo pharmacokinetic assessment to understand the physical properties of the formulations available at MQ Animal Research Services. Statistical sampling, accelerated aging, sophisticated instrumental methods (electron, optical and probe microscopies; ICP-MS, NMR; Raman, IR and UV-spectroscopy, HPLC, in situ dissolution studies and pharmacokinetic studies) will be key to complete identification and characterisation of different formulations for oral and dermal delivery.
