Surfactant-aided electrospraying of low molecular weight carbohydrate polymers from aqueous solutions

Abstract

In this work it is demonstrated, for the first time, that it is feasible to develop, using the electrospraying technique, low molecular weight carbohydrate-based capsule morphologies from aqueous solutions through the rational use of surfactants. Two different low molecular weight carbohydrate polymers were used, a maltodextrin and a commercial resistant starch. The solution properties and subsequent high voltage sprayability was evaluated upon addition of non-ionic (Tween20, and Span20) and zwitterionic (lecithin) surfactants. The morphology and molecular organization of the structures obtained was characterized and related to the solution properties. Results showed that, while unstable jetting and dropping occurred from the pure carbohydrate solutions without surfactant, the addition of some surface active molecules above their critical micelle concentration facilitated capsule formation. Higher surfactant concentrations led to smaller and more homogeneous capsule morphologies, related to lower surface tension and higher conductivity of the solutions.

Keywords: Aqueous solution; Carbohydrate; Electrospinning; Electrospraying; Encapsulation; Surfactant.