In vitro evaluation of the mixed xanthan/lignin hydrogels as vanillin carriers

Various amounts of lignin from annual fiber crops (GL) exhibiting antioxidant properties were incorporated in xanthan to obtain hydrogel films. These mixed xanthan/lignin hydrogels were evaluated as matrices for vanillin release as active aroma ingredient. The new obtained biodegradable polymeric matrices, containing vanillin, have been characterized by the swelling/release experiments, FT-IR and AFM analysis. As a novelty, AFM microscopy was done on powder form. In FT-IR spectra after incorporation of the aroma, the shifting of the bands at 1618 and 1510 cm−1 (assigned to CC stretching vibration) to higher wavenumbers was observed, indicating interactions between components. The comparison of all the results afforded by the various characterization methods leads to the conclusion that the 70X/30GL hydrogel (15% within 100 min) slower releases the vanillin aroma more than 90X/10GL (18% within 100 min) one because of stronger inter- and intramolecular interactions between matrix and active substance.

► We have done swelling and release studies on mixed xanthan/lignin hydrogels.
► The biodegradable polymeric matrices were cross-linked with epichlorohydrin.
► The active aroma ingredient used in this study was vanillin.
► The hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR, SEM and AFM techniques.
► The vanillin release from hydrogels is retarded by increasing the lignin content.