Nutritional effects of folic acid controlled release from mesoporous materials

AbstractFolic 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