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Composite Central Face Design-An Approach to Achieve Efficient Alginate Microcarriers
J F A Valente1, J R Dias1, A Sousa2
1CDRsp-IPL-Centre Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal.
Polymers
|December 1, 2019
Summary
Calcium alginate micro-vehicles produced via electrospraying offer enhanced drug delivery. This method optimizes encapsulation efficiency and drug release, showing potential for pharmaceutical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Microparticulated drug delivery systems enhance drug stability, bioavailability, and reduce adverse effects.
- Alginate microparticles are increasingly researched for drug and cell delivery due to their effectiveness.
- Calcium alginate microparticles offer prolonged drug release and mucoadhesive properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To produce Ca-alginate micro-vehicles using electrospraying.
- To optimize alginate and CaCl2 concentrations for desired microparticle characteristics.
- To evaluate encapsulation efficiency, protein release, swelling, and sphericity.
Main Methods:
- Electrospraying technique for Ca-alginate micro-vehicle fabrication.
- Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize formulation parameters.
- Statistical analysis including p-value and coefficient of determination.
Main Results:
- High encapsulation efficiency (EE%), reduced protein release, and minimal swelling achieved.
- High sphericity coefficient indicating well-formed microparticles.
- Statistically significant DOE model (p < 0.05) with high coefficients of determination (0.9207–0.9637).
Conclusions:
- Optimal formulation identified at 4% alginate and 6.6% CaCl2.
- Validated optimal point confirms successful production of Ca-alginate micro-vehicles.
- Electrospraying is a viable method for creating effective drug delivery micro-vehicles.

