ENHANCED ARGININE YIELD FROM CO-EXTRACTED POMEGRANATE AND BROWN RICE AND ENCAPSULATION INTO POLYMERIC NANOPARTICLES

Supachai Chumchuen*, Thanpisit Yuenwong, Kamonnate Meesri Julalak Kantanalit and Yoskrai Sridhanasakulchai

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to enhance arginine yield through the co-extraction of pomegranate (Punica granatum) and brown rice (Oryza sativa), and to develop a polymeric nanoparticle system for its controlled delivery. Co-extraction was performed using aqueous blending and mild heating, followed by spray drying. Arginine content was quantified by HPLC after FMOC-Cl derivatization. Results showed that co-extraction produced significantly higher arginine levels than individual extracts. Arginine-rich extract was encapsulated using a sodium alginate-calcium chloride system via the coacervation method. The resulting nanoparticles showed a mean size of 598.67 nm and high encapsulation efficiency (88%). Stability studies over four weeks indicated that arginine-loaded nanoparticles maintained their physical integrity better than naked arginine powder, which showed discoloration and aggregation. This demonstrates that polymeric nanoparticles not only enhance arginine delivery potential but also improve storage stability. The findings suggest that combining natural plant matrices with nanotechnology is a promising strategy for amino acid-based therapeutic development.

Keywords: Pomegranate, Brown rice, Arginine, Natural product, Drug delivery system.