Properties of calcium-induced gel beads prepared with alginate and hydrolysates.

Calcium-induced alginate gel beads (Alg-Ca) containing alginate hydrolysate, such as the guluronic acid block (GB), was prepared and the drug release profiles were investigated under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The addition of GB to Alg-Ca altered its rheological properties. A model drug (hydrocortisone) was incorporated at 78% of its theoretical yield within the dried Alg-Ca containing 5% GB and it was gradually released from the beads in JP XIV 1st medium for disintegration test (pH 1.2), while it was rapidly released with disintegration of the gel matrix in JP XIV 2nd medium (pH 6.8). In contrast, for Alg-Ca containing GB and chitosan, disintegration was not observed in these media and the drug release rate was markedly different. These results demonstrate that the release profiles of drugs incorporated into Alg-Ca can be controlled by adding these polysaccharides.