Research Article
Ganesh N. S.*, G. Bharathi, Ja
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to prepare and compare wax-incorporated pectinate and alginate-based emulsion gel beads. The method employed was a modified emulsion-gelation method. The waxes in polymer–liquid paraffin mixtures containing a model drug, Metformin, were hot-melted, homogenized and then extruded into calcium chloride solution. The beads formed were separated, washed with distilled water and dried for 12 h. The influence of various types and amounts of wax on floating and drug release behavior of emulsion gel beads were investigated. The drug-loaded gel beads were found to float on simulated gastric fluid only if oil was used. Incorporation of wax into the emulsion gel beads affected the drug release. White beeswax increased the drug release while carnauba wax significantly retarded the drug release. However, the increased amount of incorporated wax in the formulations significantly sustained the drug release while the beads remained floating. The results suggested that sodium alginate gel beads were more optimum compared to pectinate gel beads.