Formulation factors in preparing BTM-chitosan microspheres by spray drying method

Chitosan (CTS) microspheres were prepared by a spray drying method using type-A gelatin and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer as modifiers. Surface morphological characteristics and surface charges of prepared microspheres were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microelectrophoresis. The particle shape, size and surface morphology of microspheres were significantly affected by the concentration of gelatin. Betamethasone disodium phosphate (BTM)-loaded microspheres demonstrated good drug stability (less 1% hydrolysis product), high entrapped efficiency (95%) and positive surface charge (37.5 mV). The in vitro drug release from the microspheres was related to gelatin content. Microspheres containing gelatin/CTS 0.4similar to0.6(w/w) had a prolong release pattern for 12 h. These formulation factors were correlated to particulate characteristics for optimizing BTM microspheres in pulmonary delivery. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.