Synthesis and evaluation of the efficiency of antibacterial hydrogel beads based on the sodium alginate–ferula gum for delayed release of quercetin

In this study, novel alginate–ferula gum-based hydrogel beads with an antibacterial property which is attributed to the ferula gum were prepared by the ionic interactions method. The hydrogel beads were optimized using the Taguchi experimental design; the effect of the amount of ferula gum, the concentration of calcium chloride, and the amount of sodium alginate were investigated on the time required to release 50% of quercetin (Quer) from the hydrogel beads. In summary, ferula gum, calcium chloride, and sodium alginate have impacts on the time required to release 50% of Quer from the hydrogel beads, respectively. Hydrogel beads morphology was determined by XRD, DSC, FE-SEM, and FTIR analyses. The FE-SEM images confirmed that the presence of ferula gum reduces the hydrogel beads pores which reduce drug release rate over a long period. The antibacterial activity of the obtained sample was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, the results exhibited the remarkable antibacterial activity of hydrogel beads containing ferula gum. The hydrogel beads water content was calculated to be 487.34%. Quer release was examined in a buffer medium (pH = 7.4) for 60 h. Quer release from the hydrogel beads was slow and controlled. The release curves were nicely fitted by the Higuchi equation and the release followed by diffusion phenomenon or Fickian’s laws of diffusion.