Evaluation of Sprayability and Rheological Properties of Thermoresponsive Poloxamer Hydrogels for Buccal Delivery of Carotenoids

• Grant number: 25/12048-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 19, 2026
• End date: May 18, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Miziara Barboza Ferreira
• Grantee: Gabriela Rodrigues de Paulo
• Supervisor: Thomas Robinson
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Birmingham, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/07629-6 - Development and characterization of thermoresponsive sprayable poloxamer hydrogels for buccal carotenoid delivery, BP.IC

Abstract

Carotenoids are organic compounds widely recognized for their potential health benefits, attributed to their antioxidant properties, which contribute to the prevention of several diseases. However, the instability and low bioavailability of these compounds when administered orally represent significant challenges to their therapeutic efficacy. In this context, the present study aims to develop thermoresponsive sprayable poloxamer hydrogels for the mucosal administration of carotenoids, an approach that seeks to avoid gastrointestinal barriers and enable the direct absorption of these compounds by the oral mucosa. A central aspect is the detailed evaluation of the sprayability of the formulation, including the analysis of the spraying process, determination of the size of the droplets formed and the mechanism of liquid breakage. Furthermore, in order to investigate fundamental properties to ensure the spraying efficiency, analyses of the extensional viscosity and relaxation time of the formulations will be performed. Finally, the rheological characterization of the hydrogels will be conducted in order to understand their influence on both spraying and mucoadhesion, ensuring adequate performance of the oral delivery system.