Encapsulation of Vitamin C with its Protection from Oxidation by Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has been widely used in dermatological and cosmetic formulations primarily as an antioxidant owing to its excellent electron-donating ability. This property also makes it highly reactive and therefore degradation is unavoidable in the presence of reactive species. Polymers have been used for encapsulation purposes as micelles vesicles or gels.11–19 A water-soluble polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been investigated as one of the polymeric materials for encapsulation. In cosmetic formulations, PVA is used as emulsion stabilizer, forming protective films, viscosity increasing agent, or a binder. This study used PVA to encapsulate Vitamin C in an attempt to slow down the rate of degradation and therefore preserve the bioactivity of Vitamin C. PVA of varying molecular weights and concentrations were used and the PVA-Vitamin C solutions were subjected to different temperature over seven days. UV and NMR analyses were performed to support the study. It was shown that PVA of Mw 79....