Low-field time-domain NMR relaxometry for studying polymer hydration and mobilization in sodium alginate matrix tablets

Sodium alginate is used in various industries, including food, pharmaceutical, and agriculture. Matrix systems, e.g., tablets, and granules, are macro samples with incorporated active substances. During hydration, they are neither equilibrated nor homogenous. Phenomena occurring during hydration of such systems are complex, determine their functional properties and hence require multimodal analysis. Still, there's a lack of comprehensive view. The study aimed to obtain unique characteristics of the sodium alginate matrix during hydration, particularly considering polymer mobilization phenomena using low-field time-domain NMR relaxometry in H2O and D2O. An increase in total signal during 4 h of hydration in D2O of ca. 30 μV resulted from polymer/water mobilization. Modes in T1–T2 maps and changes in their amplitudes reflected physicochemical state of the polymer/water system: e.g. air-dry polymer mode (T1/T2 ~ 600) and two mobilized polymer/water modes (at T1/T2 ~ 40 and T1/T2 ~ 20). The study describes the approach to evaluating the hydration of the sodium alginate matrix in terms of the temporal evolution of proton pools: those existing in the matrix before hydration and those entering the matrix from the bulk water. It provides data complementary to spatially resolved methods like MRI and microCT. [Display omitted]