Efficient Improvement of Eugenol Water Solubility by Spray Drying Encapsulation in Soluplus® and Lutrol F 127

Abstract

Herein, we present an elegant and simple method for significant improvement of eugenol water solubility using the polymers Soluplus® and Lutrol F 127 as carriers and spray drying as an encapsulation method. The formulations were optimized by adding myo-inositol—a sweetening agent—and Aerosil® 200 (colloidal, fumed silica)—an anticaking agent. The highest encapsulation efficiency of 97.9–98.2% was found for the samples containing 5% eugenol with respect to the mass of Soluplus®. The encapsulation efficiencies of the spray-dried samples with 15% eugenol are around 90%. Although lowering the yield, the addition of Lutrol F 127 results in a more regular particle shape and enhanced powder flowability. The presence of Aerosil® 200 and myo-inositol also improves the rheological powder properties. The obtained formulations can be used in various dosage forms like powders, granules, capsules, creams, and gels.