Optimization of blend formulation of agar/κ-carrageenan hydrogels for transdermal delivery of vitamin B12

Cancer patients require a new method of vitamin B delivery due to the ineffective and invasive methods currently practiced. A biopolymer hydrogel of agar/κ-carrageenan was proposed to transdermally deliver vitamin B12 to cancer patients. Varying mass ratios were considered for the agar/κ-carrageenan: 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0. A reference of 1 mg vitamin B12 was used for the loading coefficients of 1x, 1.5x, and 2x. The percent release of vitamin B12 and time required to reach equilibrium release concentration were the response variables used to determine the optimal hydrogel blend. The vitamins were loaded into the biopolymer solution over a double boiler and the resulting gel was dried and sent for release analysis via colorimetry. The hydrogel blend of 50/50 at a loading coefficient of 1x was found to have the highest vitamin release of 314%, and shortest time to reach equilibrium release concentration at 337 minutes. Increasing loading coefficient increases the time to reach equilibrium response concentration. To further improve the study, other essential B-group vitamins may be added and other mass ratios and loading coefficients may be incorporated in the optimization.