title: Cross-linking mechanisms of calcium and zinc in production of alginate microspheres.
abstract: Calcium chloride and zinc sulphate were used to cross-link alginate microspheres prepared by an emulsification method. The microspheres cross-linked by a combination of these two salts showed different morphology and slower drug release compared with those cross-linked by the calcium salt alone. From viscosity study, it was found that zinc cations interacted with the alginate molecules to a greater extent than calcium cations. The varying effects of the salts on the properties of the microspheres were largely attributed to their ability to interact with the alginate molecules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, S (117543), Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heng
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004655:Emulsions; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D014783:Viscosity; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004655:Emulsions; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium