Preparation and Evaluation of Chitosan Microcapsules Containing Rifampicin

The present investigation was designed to prepare chitosan microcapsules and evaluate the in-vitro release pattern of the drug rifampicin. The microcapsules were formulated by glutaraldehyde cross-linking method using various core:coat ratios. The prepared microcapsules were evaluated for SEM analysis, sieve analysis, drug content, encapsulation efficiency, swelling studies, in-vitro and mucoadhesion test, and were compared with pure drug. The microcapsules obtained were spherical, discrete, free flowing and exhibited a slow and sustained release over a period of 12 hrs. The release depended on core:coat ratio and size of microcapsules. In-vitro release studies were carried out in pH 1.2 and pH 7.4 and 60.20%, 43.25% and 39.63% of drug was released from microcapsules having 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 core:coat ratios respectively after 12 hrs. Drug release was found to be diffusion controlled and followed first order kinetics.