title: Casein/gelatin beads: I. Cross-linker solution composition effect on cross-linking degree.
abstract: The effect of the cross-linker solution composition (aqueous and organic ratio) on the cross-linking degree of hydrophilic casein/gelatin beads has been evaluated. Casein/gelatin beads with different radii have been prepared and treated over the same time with three different cross-linker solvent compositions containing d, l-glyceraldehyde at the same concentration. The cross-linking degree was studied not only comparing the results of swelling process and degradation rate, widely reported in literature as methods for the cross-linking degree evaluation, but also determining the solvent penetration rate and the d,l-glyceraldehyde reacting percentage. It has been observed, in fact, that the cross-linker solvent composition influences the penetration rate through the matrix of the cross-linker, thus controlling the homogeneity of the matrix cross-linking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi, 183, 41100, Modena, Italy. forni.flavio@unimo.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bulgarelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forni
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Bernabei
mesh_terms: D002364:Caseins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D005985:Glyceraldehyde / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D012997:Solvents
chemical_list: D002364:Caseins; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005079:Excipients; D012997:Solvents; D005985:Glyceraldehyde; D005780:Gelatin