Relating physicochemical properties of alginate-HMP complexes to their performance as drug delivery systems

This study aims to analyze the effect of physicochemical properties of alginate-high methoxyl pectin (HMP) complexes on their performance as drug delivery systems. Rheology, textural properties and swelling behavior of alginate-HMP complexes were determined. HMP alone showed weak gelling ability. As ratio of alginate increased, gel capability, hardness and adhesiveness of gels increased, but swelling rate decreased. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model drug and entrapped in the alginate-HMP beads. Morphology of beads was correlated with adhesiveness. Drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency were related to electrostatic interactions between BSA and alginate-HMP complexes. Drug release profiles were correlated with both texture and swelling properties of alginate-HMP complexes and morphology of beads in simulated gastric fluids, while release in simulated intestinal fluids was affected by drug loading content. This study gives enlightenment that pre-selection of encapsulation materials may be achieved prior to encapsulation based on physicochemical properties of materials.