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Optimized Microencapsulation of Citrus aurantiifolia Peel Extract for Breast Cancer Therapy: In Silico-Supported Approach

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Indonesia and is primarily treated by surgery or chemotherapy, often accompanied by adjuvant therapy. Citrus aurantiifolia peel extract exhibits potential as a natural anti-cancer compound. In silico screening identified 16 out of 95 candidate compound–protein interactions that demonstrated strong binding to key breast cancer-related targets (3ERT, 3PY0, 8I0M, 7PG6, and 1KV1), suggesting therapeutic relevance. Due to the extract’s environmental sensitivity, encapsulation is necessary to preserve its bioactivity. This study employed complex coacervation using a gelatin–gum arabic system crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, with formulation parameters optimized to improve encapsulation performance. The extract yield was 11.40%, and the optimal formulation ratios were 3.74:4 (extract/matrix), 0.066:4 (crosslinker/matrix), and 2:2 (gelatin/gum arabic). The resulting microcapsules achieved a yield of 54.21 ± 4.76%, an extract content of 3.67 ± 0.24%, and an encapsulation efficiency of 99.65 ± 0.09%, with spherical morphology and an average size of 1.249 ± 0.710 μm. Release studies followed Higuchi kinetics, indicating a controlled diffusion profile. These findings support the potential of C. aurantiifolia peel extract as a stable, encapsulated anti-cancer candidate for future therapeutic applications. HIGHLIGHTS Citrus aurantiifolia peel extract was explored for its potential as a natural anti-cancer agent. In silico screening identified 16 key compound–protein interactions related to breast cancer pathways. Encapsulation using gelatin–gum arabic via complex coacervation preserved extract bioactivity. Optimized microcapsules achieved 99.65 ± 0.09% encapsulation efficiency and Higuchi release kinetics. The study supports the extract’s potential as a stable, encapsulated candidate for breast cancer therapy. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
DOI: 10.48048/tis.2025.10929
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414201346
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