## 3 Results  
### Characterization of Encapsulated CBG Particles  
CBG was encapsulated into CTAB-modified CNC using spray-drying, a widely utilized encapsulation method in industrial applications [21]. The resulting encapsulated CBG particles were evaluated for yield, encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC), zeta potential (ZP), size, and morphology. The results are shown in Table 1 and Figure 1.  
The incorporation of CBG into the CNC-CTAB delivery system demonstrated a significant encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 78.56% \(\pm\) 1.89. This aligns with previously reported findings for CNC-CTAB carriers encapsulating lipophilic biomolecules such as curcumin, docetaxel, and paclitaxel, which showed EE values ranging from 80% to 90% [10; 13]. The binding observed is probably due to the interaction between the lipophilic side chain of CBG and the hydrophobic domain of CNC-CTAB (C-H groups), supported by both electrostatic and hydrophobic forces. Additionally, the phenolic hydroxyl moieties in CBG may engage in hydrogen bonding with the polar head of CTAB [22]. Furthermore, the \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Delivery System** & **Yield (\%)** & **EE (\%)** & **LC (\%)** & **Zeta Potential (mV)** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Particle Size**} \\  & & & & **Dv 50 (\(\mu\)m)** & **D 4:3 (\(\mu\)m)** \\ \hline CNC-CTAB\_CBG & 69.50 & 78.56 \(\pm\) 1.89 & 28.26 \(\pm\) 0.68 & \(-\)21.80 \(\pm\) 0.17 & 7.20 & 9.15 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
CNC: cellulose nanocrystals; CTAB: modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.  
\end{table} 
Table 1: Yield, encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC), zeta potential (ZP), and size of CNC-CTAB particles encapsulating CBG. Figure 1: Scanning electron microscope images of spray-dried CNC-CTAB encapsulating CBG (magnifications of (**a**) 2500\(\times\) and (**b**) 5000\(\times\), with scale bars representing 50 \(\upmu\)m and 30 \(\upmu\)m, respectively). surfactant monomers adsorbed onto the system can undergo rearrangement, promoting hydrophobic interactions among surfactant alkyl chains and leading to the formation of surfactant clusters that contribute to an enhanced binding of CBG [10; 13]. The system exhibited a loading capacity of ca. 28% and a mass yield of about 70%, both promising outcomes for laboratory-scale spray-drying processes. The encapsulation of CBG within CNC-CTAB maintains moderate stability, as evidenced by a significantly negative zeta potential value of approximately \(-\)22 mV. According to laser diffraction-based particle size analysis, the mean diameter (D[4:3]) is 9.15 \(\upmu\)m, with half of the sample volume (Dv(50)) consisting of particles smaller than 7.20 \(\upmu\)m. It is noteworthy that, while nanomaterials were used to construct the delivery system, the spray drying process predominantly increased the particle size from the nanoscale to the microscale. This transition holds commercial appeal, as materials at the microscale may encounter fewer regulatory obstacles associated with the use of nanomaterials, potentially simplifying market access. SEM images (Figure 1) depict irregular, primarily spheroid particles ranging in diameters from 2 to 10 \(\upmu\)m, aligning with the findings from the particle size analysis. The majority of these microstructures exhibited textured surfaces with indentations, likely stemming from shrinkage during the drying and cooling phases, subsequently causing surface deformations [23]. This phenomenon closely corresponds to morphologies documented in existing literature regarding spray-dried nanocellulose delivery systems [23; 24]. Some CBG appear to exist as free crystals characterized by smoother, non-spherical particles that dried independently. This could be a result of precipitation occurring prior to the spraying process, when the biomolecule solution was introduced to the CNC suspension, or it may be attributed to differing drying kinetics between the biomolecule and CNC [24].