Zinc-Alginate Beads for the Controlled Release of Rifampicin

The present study describes the preparation of a carrier system based on zinc-alginate beads and to evaluate its potential for the controlled release of rifampicin, the poorly water soluble drug using ionic gelation technique. The surface topology of the developed beads were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and the crosslinking process was investigated by Fourier Transform. Infrared spectroscopy. The pH dependent swelling properties of the beads were analyzed. Drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release studies were also investigated. The in vitro cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity were evaluated. Results indicated that the entrapment efficiency improves as the amount of polymer incresed. The developed beads showed a pH dependent swelling behaviour. The sustained release of drug was more prominent in pH 7.4 than 1.2. The MTT assay results proved the cell biocompatibility of the developed beads. The beads showed good antibacterial activity.