Effects of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and ethylcellulose on alginate microspheres prepared by emulsification

Calcium alginate microspheres were prepared by an emulsification process. The effects of two co-polymers, namely poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and ethylcellulose, on the properties of the microspheres were studied. Microspheres prepared with and without poly(vinylpyrrolidone) were spherical and discrete. The microspheres containing poly(vinylpyrrolidone) exhibited a better flow property but the drug content was lower and the drug release rate higher. The method of incorporating poly(vinylpyrrolidone) was found to (significantly) affect the size distribution and drug content of the microspheres. Ethylcellulose produced marked aggregation of the microspheres which also showed a lower drug content, but a slower drug release. The retardation in drug release was attributed to the formation of aggregated microspheres with a less permeable matrix. The addition of triethyl citrate, which is a water-soluble plasticizer, was found to increase the rate of drug release while the use of a higher viscosity grade of ethylcellulose produced the opposite effect. Ethylcellulose improved the flowability of the microspheres to a greater extent than poly(vinylpyrrolidone).