Microencapsulation of Macaranga gigantea Leaf Extracts: Production and Characterization

Introduction: The aim of this research was to formulate the microcapsules of Macaranga gigantea leaves extract with solvent evaporation method using Ethocel 10 cP and Eudragit E100 as matrix. Methods: M. gigantea leaves were extracted using ethanol 96%. This extract was dried by rotary evaporator. The microencapsulation process of M. gigantea leaves extract was conducted by solvent evaporation method (O/W: oil in water). The formula of M. gigantea leaves extract microcapsules were designed into six formulas (Eudragit E100: FA₁, FA₂, FA₃ and Ethocel 10 cP: FB₁, FB₂, FB₃). Microcapsules of M. gigantea leaves extract were characterized for particle size, in terms of surface morphology by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and encapsulation efficiency. Antioxidant activity of the formulation have been evaluated by DPPH method. Physical characterization on microparticles were performed by conducting entrapment efficiency and SEM picture. Results: In this research, the micoparticles containing M. gigantea extract has been developed by using ethyl cellulose (Ethocel 10 cP ) and eudragit (Eudragit E100) as polymer matrix. The results showed that high concentration of polymer (Ethocel 10 cP and Eudragit E100) used in microencapsulation resulted in better M. gigantea leaves extract microcapsules in terms of physical characteristics. Particle size of microcapsules containing M. gigantea leaves extract were in the range of 3.564 to 5.887 μm. Encapsulation efficiency (% EE) was categorized as good because the value were ≥ 80% to which 85.978% (FA₃) and 88.992% (FB₃). SEM picture of FA₃ (Eudragit E100) revealed that the surface of microcapsule were rough and porous. When Ethocel 10 cP used as polymer, a smoother surface and less visible pores of microcapsule were obtained. The antioxidant ability of M. gigantea leaves extract microcapsule showed that IC₅₀ values was 64.51 ppm. Conclusion: It can be concluded that microcapsules of M. gigantea leaves extract can be prepared by solvent evaporation method by using Eudragit E100 and Ethocel 10 cP as polymer matrix. M. gigantea leaves has potent antioxidant activity either as extract or after formulated into microcapsules.