Mechanical and drug release properties of alginate beads reinforced with cellulose

ABSTRACT The limited efficacy of alginate as a drug carrier is thought to be due to its poor mechanical stability and durability. In the present study, cellulose/alginate (C/Alg) beads were successfully fabricated by droplet extrusion/precipitation method for drug release of metformin hydrochloride (MH). To evaluate the effects of three different cellulose fibers, including cotton linter (CL), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) on the stability and drug release property, the structure and properties of composite beads were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and also mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), swelling and in vitro drug release properties were assessed. The results indicated that the incorporation of cellulose enhances the mechanical properties and thermal stability of alginate matrix. The peak force values of the alginate beads increased from 4.07 ± 1.64 kg to 11.87 ± 2.61 kg with adding 30 wt % MFC. Cellulose with micro‐ and nanostructures improved the encapsulation efficiency and inhibited the rapid release of alginate in simulated intestinal fluid. It was suggested that cellulose could be an effective modifier to adjust the swelling property, mechanical property, and drug release behavior of alginate beads. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44495.