Preparation of Alginate/Chitosan-Coated Beads Loaded with Propranolol Hydrochloride

Propranolol loaded-calcium alginate beads were prepared by combining the processes of electospray and ionotropic gelation. The parameters of mean particle size, propranolol encapsulation efficiency (EE) and release profiles in simulated gastric fluid (HCl, pH = 1.5) and intestinal fluid (phosphate buffer, pH = 6.8) have been evaluated and compared. The main objective of this study was to increase the propranolol loading and decrease release rate by reinforcing the alginate matrix with increasing the sodium alginate concentration as well as coating with chitosan. Enhancing the alginate concentration and coating with chitosan led to increase the encapsulation efficiency and therefore decrease the drug release rates in both pH.

Keywords:

Alginate , Chitosan , Propranolol hydrochloride , Electrospray