Preparation and characterization of pH-sensitive alginate-g-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)/gelatin blend beads

In this study, pH-sensitive alginate-g-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)/gelatin (SA-g-PVP/Gel) blend beads were produced as controlled release system. Structural features of the SA-g-PVP/Gel beads were characterized by FTIR, X-RD, DSC, SEM and mercury intrusion-porosimetry. In vitro nifedipine (NFD) release was investigated at pH 1.2 for 2 h and followed by immersing at pH 7.4 for 6 h. Effects of diverse parameters such as grafting of PVP, copolymer/gelatin blend ratio, concentration of cross-linker and drug amount on the release of NFD were investigated. The NFD release from SA-g-PVP/Gel beads demonstrated pH-sensitivity of drug release. Cytotoxicity experiments of SA-g-PVP and SA-g-PVP/Gel beads displayed their biocompatible character. © 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistr