title: Shape optimization and characterization of polysaccharide beads prepared by ionotropic gelation.
abstract: The shape of drug loaded polysaccharide beads produced by ionotropic gelation has been optimized, with the aim of producing spherical beads suitable for further technological operations, such as coating. The optimization was performed on a model system sodium alginate/theophylline by inclusion of various fillers. Incorporation of excipients markedly influenced the morphological characteristics of the beads. The undesired irregular shape of beads caused by incorporation of the drug could only be improved by incorporating a combination of polycarbophil (PK) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The spherical shape of these beads was stabilized mechanically by numerous air bubbles trapped inside the beads, which prevented the collapse of the beads during drying. The optimized method was shown to be applicable to a target system of pectin and an anti-inflammatory drug, LK-423.
authors.affiliation: Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Research and Development, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Polona
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smrdel
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bogataj
authors.forename: Anamarija
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zega
authors.forename: Odon
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Planinsek
authors.forename: Ales
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mrhar
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D005782:Gels; D010797:Phthalimides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011205:Povidone / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical; D013806:Theophylline / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000464:Alginates; D004151:Dipeptides; D005079:Excipients; D005782:Gels; D010797:Phthalimides; C117773:N-(2-(2-phthalimidoethoxy)acetyl)-L-alanyl-D-glutamic acid; C030312:calcium polycarbophil; D013806:Theophylline; D011205:Povidone