|
Title
A study of the influence of crosslinking degree on the physicochemical properties of gelatin microparticles
Authors
CRISTINA DINU-PIRVU and SIMONA IVANA
Received
June 17, 2012
Published
Volume 47 Issue 9-10 October-December
Keywords
microparticles, gelatin, crosslinking, glutaraldehyde, xantinol nicotinate
Abstract
The application of the microencapsulation technique in medicine and pharmacy has been extensively studied in recent
years. The microencapsulation of small particles in polymeric, waxy or other kind of protective shells has become a
well-established technology for coating and isolating various substances.
The present paper presents the results obtained in a study concerning the influence of crosslinking degree on the
physicochemical properties of gelatin microparticles containing xantinol nicotinate. The microparticles have been
prepared by emulsifying a gelatin solution in an oily phase (sun flower oil). So far, gelatin microparticles have been
widely evaluated as an excellent drug carrier. Nevertheless, gelatin dissolves rather rapidly in aqueous environments,
making the usage of the polymer quite difficult for producing extended release delivery systems. Therefore, in
obtaining extended release gelatin microparticle formulations, the usage of a crosslinking agent generating non-soluble
networks is necessary. Glutaraldehyde was selected as crosslinking agent. The crosslinking process was completed
either by maintaining the test microparticles in glutaraldehyde vapors for various periods of time, or by using a 35%
glutaraldehyde solution in acetone.
The test gelatin microparticles were characterized in vitro in terms of both physical and chemical properties (such as
particle size, density, drug content, swelling dynamics and drug release).
The experimental data confirmed that the crosslinking degree significantly influenced drug loading, swelling kinetics,
as well as the mechanism of drug release kinetics.
Link
|
