Nutritional effects of folic acid controlled release from mesoporous materials

Abstract

[EN] Folic acid deficiency causes serious disorders in humans and supplementation has numerous health benefits. However, there is initial evidence that suggest a negative impact of an increased exposure to folic with respect to certain developmental and degenerative disorders. In this line, controlled release of folic acid by using mesoporous silica materials, MCM-41, has been studied as an alternative to direct supplementation. For this purpose, various mesoporous solids MCM-41 loaded with folic acid (S1) and functionalized with 3-[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyl-trimethoxysilane (S2) acting as "gate" have been tested. The results show that at pH 2 a strongly hindered vitamin release is observed, whereas at pH 7.5 a controlled delivery is found. Based on the obtained results of this study, folic acid controlled release could be feasible during a period of 5h using a sensitive to pH gate, and this might reduce traditional fortification negative effects, while nutritional benefits are maintained