A new technique for the encapsulation of water insoluble drugs using ethyl cellulose.

A new technique for encapsulation of water insoluble drugs has been developed utilizing ethyl cellulose as a wall forming material. Ethyl cellulose was dissolved in a water immiscible, volatile organic solvent, containing sulphadiazine as a model drug. This dispersion was emulsified into an aqueous bentonite suspension and phase separation was induced by solvent evaporation. The effect of bentonite concentration, core to coat ratio, organic solvent, speed of agitation and temperature was studied with respect to the microcapsule size and size distribution, drug content, in vitro release and surface characteristics.