A Sustained Release Drug Delivery System Using Calcium Alginate Beads

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Abstract
Calcium alginate beads impregnated with sulphamethoxazole as model drug were prepared and characterized. Scanning electron microscope was used to examine their surface with and without the drug. The bead average diameter was 1.25mm and the sulphamethoxazole uptake by the beads was about half of the incorporated quantity. The release behaviour was followed using USP dissolution method. The effect on release of factors such as sodium alginate, calcium chloride concentration, pH, hydration and compression were studied. Sodium alginate concentrations had no pronounced effect on the release. The release was found to be a function of calcium chloride concentration. The higher the concentration the lower the release. The smaller the water content the lower the release from the beads. Compression of the beads yields a deformed beads with an increase in their release. Plain calcium alginate beads were not suitable for sulphamethoxazole loading. Sulphamethoxazole diffusion through calcium alginate film was determined. The dissolution patterns were discussed. The system may offer a simple and efficient sustain release preparation.