Structural variation in gelatin networks from low to high-solid systems effected by honey addition

Honey is a biologically active material functioning antibacterial, anti-inflammation and immune responses that enhance wellbeing. This research aims to record and rationalise the structural properties of honey as part of a convenient delivery system in the presence of gelatin that provides the structuring matrix. In doing so, we employ dynamic oscillation in-shear, micro and modulated DSC, WAXD, FTIR and ESEM. A wide range of solids was employed from 10% (w/w) gelatin to mixtures with up to 75% (w/w) honey. Increasing addition of co-solute created thermally stable gelatin networks, which at high levels of total solids undergo a glass transition. This allows deconvolution of the total heat flow into the reversing and non-reversing thermograms. In addition, mechanical spectra can be treated by the combined free volume/reaction rate theory to predict the molecular dynamics of the gelatin-honey system. Molecular interactions between the two components and the relative contribution of honey to the crystalline or amorphous part of the binary preparation are elucidated guiding future applications for orally and topically treated ailments. [Display omitted] •Manuka honey can act as co-solute to gelatin for the design of high solid materials.•Gelatin and honey form homogeneous high-solid systems with amorphous consistency.•Thermomechanical work identifies the glass transition region of the mixture.