Alginate (ALG) cross-linking by CaCl2 is a promising strategy to obtain modified-release\ndrug delivery systems with mucoadhesive properties. However, current technologies to produce\nCaCl2 cross-linked alginate microparticles possess major disadvantages, such as a poor encapsulation\nefficiency of water-soluble drugs and a difficulty in controlling the process. Hence, this study presents\na novel method that streamlines microparticle production by spray drying; a rapid, continuous,\nreproducible, and scalable technique enabling obtainment of a product with low moisture content,\nhigh drug loading, and a high production yield. To model a freely water-soluble drug, metformin\nhydrochloride (MF) was selected. It was observed that MF was successfully encapsulated in alginate\nmicroparticles cross-linked by CaCl2 using a one-step drying process. Modification of ALG provided\ndrug release prolongationâ??particles obtained from 2% ALG cross-linked by 0.1% CaCl2 with a\nprolonged MF rate of dissolution of up to 12 h. Cross-linking of the ALG microparticles structure by\nCaCl2 decreased the swelling ratio and improved the mucoadhesive properties which were evaluated\nusing porcine stomach mucosa.
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