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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Preparation of Cross-Linked Sodium Alginate Microspheres with Different Metal Ions Using the Microfluidic Electrospray Technology
Published on: June 7, 2024
Effects of microwave on drug-release responses of spray-dried alginate microspheres
Radman Ekha Mardziah1, Tin Wui Wong
1Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Context:
Microspheres prepared from rigid guluronic acid- (MG) and flexible mannuronic acid-rich (MC) alginate will undergo different drug release changes with respect to the influence of microwave on the matrix. An in-depth understanding of their differences in drug release changes is attainable through investigating cross-linking agent-free alginate microspheres prepared by spray-drying technique.
Objective:
The behavior of MG and MC alginate in controlling drug release responses of spray-dried microspheres against microwave was investigated. Sodium diclofenac was used as a model water-soluble drug. The formed microspheres were subjected to drug release, drug content, size, shape, surface morphology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffractometry analysis.
Results:
MC microspheres required a shorter period of microwave irradiation to reduce drug release extent than MG microspheres. In response to microwave, the drug release profiles of 1:1 MG-MC microspheres resembled MC microspheres.
Discussion:
The state of polymer-polymer and drug-polymer interaction via O-H and/or N-H moiety of microspheres was affected by alginate chain flexibility under the influence of microwave. It then governed the drug release responses of microspheres.
Conclusion:
The drug release property of alginate microspheres can be modified by microwave irradiation, and its changes are a function of alginate conformation.
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