International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
Volume 15, Issue 2

pH and Enzyme Responsive Enteric Coated Systems for Targeted Delivery of Probiotics to Colon 

Ramesh Ingole1, Amol Landge2, Ganesh Nigade3, Sachin Nitave4* 

1Department of Pharmaceutics, DJPs College of Pharmacy, Pathri, Affiliated to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, Dist. Raigad, Maharashtra, India

2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SSBT’s Institute of Pharmacy, Bambhori, Jalgaon, Affiliated to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, Dist. Raigad, Maharashtra, India

3Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, PDEA’s Seth Govind Raghunath Sable College of Pharmacy, Saswad, Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India

4Department of Pharmacy, Dr. J. J. Magdum Trusts Anil Alias Pintu Magdum Memorial Pharmacy College, Dharangutti, Kolhapur, Affiliated to MSBTE, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Received: 17th Feb, 2025; Revised: 27th Apr, 2025; Accepted: 14th May, 2025; Available Online: 25th Jun, 2025 

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness and precise delivery of probiotics are essential for their therapeutic benefits, especially for strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which need to endure the tough conditions of the gastrointestinal tract to reach the colon. This study usual out to form and evaluate a new dual-layer enteric-coated system that combines a pH-sensitive outer layer (Eudragit® L 100) with an enzyme-responsive inner layer (Pectin/Resistant Starch) to improve colonic delivery. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the coatings were smooth, continuous, and durable. In vitro tests revealed that this combined system maintained 88.5% probiotic viability after 2 hours in simulated gastric fluid and 80.2% viability after 4 hours in intestinal fluid, significantly better than uncoated and single-layer-coated options. In simulated colonic fluid, the dual-coated system achieved an impressive 84.0% cumulative release and a peak viable count of 5.2×10⁹ CFU/mL at the 12-hour mark. Stability tests indicated a 75.0% retention of viability subsequently 6 months at 25°C/60% RH, with strong viability preservation at 4°C for a full year. These results highlight the dual-responsive system's ability to protect probiotics during their journey through GI tract and facilitate targeted release in colon, showcasing its promising potential for enhancing probiotic therapies and functional food applications.

Keywords: Probiotics; Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG; pH-sensitive coating; enzyme-responsive delivery; colon-targeted release; enteric-coated system; gastrointestinal survival; fecal slurry model; Eudragit L 100; resistant starch

How to cite this article: Ramesh Ingole, Amol Landge, Ganesh Nigade, Sachin Nitave. pH and Enzyme Responsive Enteric Coated Systems for Targeted Delivery of Probiotics to Colon. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology. 2025;15(2):818-24. doi: 10.25258/ijddt.15.2.58

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