Study on microcapsule preparation technology
- VernacularTitle:Микрокапсул бэлтгэх технологийн судалгаа
- Author:
Baatarbolat J
1
;
Buyankhishig E
2
;
Ichinkhorloo D
2
;
Odonchimeg M
3
;
Purevdolgor B
2
;
Maralmaa Ts
1
;
Shinezaya D
1
;
Jambaninj D
1
;
Davaadagva D
1
;
Otgonsuren D
1
Author Information
1. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, MNUMS
2. School of Pharmacy, MNUMS
3. Institute of chemistry and chemical technology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Microcapsule;
chitosan;
gelatin;
emulsion;
drug delivery system
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2026;93(3):203-210
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Maintaining the concentration of a drug in the blood at a therapeutic level is crucial for enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing adverse effects. Conventional dosage forms are rapidly absorbed, causing a quick rise in the drug concentration in the blood, but it soon declines. As a result, frequent dosing is required in chronic or acute conditions. This can lead to drug concentrations exceeding therapeutic levels, increasing toxicity, or failing to reach the required level. To address these limitations, drug delivery systems (DDS) have been intensively developed over the past few decades. Among these systems, microencapsulation technology enables targeted delivery of the drug within the body, maintains stability, controls release, improves bioavailability, reduces side effects, and protects the active pharmaceutical ingredient from degradation or elimination, delivering it specifically to the necessary tissues. These characteristics provided the rationale for conducting this study.
Aim:Select a suitable polymer for microcapsule formation, develop a production technology using the emulsion solvent evaporation method, and evaluate certain morphological characteristics of the resulting microcapsules.
Materials and Methods:The microcapsules were prepared using an O/W emulsion solvent evaporation method. Dichloromethane (DCM) was used as the solvent, and the wall materials were solutions of chitosan (2% w/v) and gelatin (5% w/v), which are polymers combining biodegradability and biocompatibility. These solutions were mixed in a total of eight different ratios and emulsified into an aqueous phase containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, 1% w/v) using a high-speed homogenizer at 8000–10000 rpm to form the emulsion, followed by solvent evaporation. The resulting microcapsules were freeze-dried to obtain dry microcapsule forms. The morphology and surface structure of the microcapsules were characterized using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while their size and distribution were analyzed using the ImageJ software.
Result:To determine the optimal wall material for the microcapsules, a total of eight formulation ratios were prepared, and the emulsion stability and viscosity were evaluated. Chitosan-dominant formulations (F1, F7, F8) exhibited excessively high viscosity and a tendency for the system to thicken, which reduced the uniformity and stability of the emulsion. In contrast, formulations with low or imbalanced gelatin content (F2, F3) failed to achieve complete emulsion stabilization and showed significant phase separation. The F5 formulation demonstrated the best stability, minimal phase separation, and appropriate viscosity, making it the optimal choice for microcapsule wall preparation. The chitosan-to-gelatin ratio of 1:2 (F5 formulation) was found to be the most suitable in terms of complete microcapsule formation, spherical shape, uniform surface, and proper viscosity. Microcapsules of the F5 formulation had an average diameter of 290±30 µm, were spherical, and maintained shape stability even after freeze-drying. A microcapsule preparation technology based on the emulsion method was developed experimentally, and the most suitable conditions were established.
Conclusion:1. The results of the study indicated that a chitosan-to-gelatin ratio of 1:2 was the most suitable formulation for microcapsules in terms of complete formation, spherical shape, and uniform surface characteristics.
2. When the gelatin content increased, microcapsule morphology deteriorated and aggregation tendencies were observed, whereas higher chitosan content increased the viscosity of the solution, which affected the stability of the emulsion and resulted in non-uniform microcapsule sizes.
3. The 1:2 chitosan-gelatin ratio is therefore crucial for microcapsule preparation, and this wall composition can be applied in further studies involving drug-loaded microcapsules.
- Full text:202609270959496367027_203-210_Микрокапсул бэлтгэх технологийн судалгаа.pdf
