Preparation of albumin microspheres by an improved process

Albumin is widely used to prepare microspheres and microcapsules. In this study microspheres were prepared by the suspension crosslinking method for the first time in the absence of any surface active agent, using paraffin oil as the dispersion medium and formaldehyde as the crosslinking agent. The microspheres thus obtained were characterized using a Scanning Electron Microscope and found to be spherical and having a particle size distribution in the range 50-400 microns. A preliminary drug release study of chlorothiazide in-vitro indicated a diffusion controlled release of the drug. This method, being simple and cost effective, could be a promising technique for the large scale manufacture of microspheres.