New microcapsules based on oligoelectrolyte complexation.
A new one-step microencapsulation procedure has been developed. For the alginate/oligochitosan system the molar mass of the chitosan is a key parameter in the formation of stable, elastic capsules with high modulus. Furthermore, the selection of an optimum molar mass provides an additional degree of freedom, permitting the simultaneous regulation of mechanical properties and permeability without the need for multicomponent organic-inorganic chemistries as have been previously employed. The effects of molar mass of chitosan, its concentration, the alginate molar mass and its metal salt on the preparation, physical properties, and release characteristics of the capsules have been studied.
Department of Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland. Artur.Bartkowiak@epfl.ch
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Hunkeler
D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan; D004058:Diffusion; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008970:Molecular Weight
D000464:Alginates; D002214:Capsules; D004573:Electrolytes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan