Colon-targeted active agent delivery carrier and uses thereof

A method for manufacturing a colon-targeted composition, comprising:

• (a) providing an aqueous phase comprising a Jelly fig low methoxyl pectin, an active agent and an insoluble salt of calcium;
• wherein the Jelly fig low methoxyl pectin has the characteristics of:
• (1) an average molecular weight of at least 750,000 daltons;
• (2) an esterification degree of about 31% or less;
• and
• (3) a galacturonic acid content of at least 75% to about 90%;
• (b) mixing the aqueous phase with an oil phase to form a water-in-oil emulsion;
• (c) dripping an acid into the water-in-oil emulsion, such that the insoluble salt of calcium dissolves to release calcium ion, and the Jelly fig low methoxyl pectin crosslinks with calcium ion to form hydrogel composite particles containing the active agent;
• (d) slowly pouring a critical volume of an aqueous solution containing a soluble salt of calcium into the water-in-oil emulsion to solidify the hydrogel composite particles and to separate the water-in-oil emulsion into the aqueous phase and the oil phase, wherein the hydrogel composite particles are in the aqueous phase;
• and
• (e) separating the hydrogel composite particles from the aqueous phase.