Controlled release of urea from chitosan microspheres prepared by emulsification and cross-linking method

摘要

Encapsulation of urea was performed in chitosan microspheres via emulsification followed by cross-linking with genipin, a natural cross-linker. The microspheres were prepared by varying different parameters, e.g., concentrations of chitosan, urea and cross-linker. The effect of these parameters on urea loading (%), urea content (%), entrapment efficiency (%) and release rate was studied. Higher amount of chitosan (1.0 g) and cross-linker concentration (0.75 mmol/g of chitosan) produced entrapment efficiencies of 99.0 and 78.5 %, respectively. Release rate was found to be dependent on the concentrations of urea, chitosan, cross-linker and temperature of the release medium. Higher concentration of loaded urea enhanced the release rate, whereas higher concentrations of chitosan and cross-linker reduced it. Higher temperature of the release medium improved the release rate. It was found that water uptake (%) increased through the increase of concentrations of urea and chitosan and decrease of that of cross-linker. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the incorporation of urea in the chitosan micro-spheres. There was no significant interaction between chitosan and urea as evidenced by FTIR study. Surface of the urea-loaded microspheres appeared coarser and rough compared to that of unloaded microspheres as revealed by scanning electron microscopy.