FABRICATION OF CURCUMIN LOADED GUAR GUM MICROPARTICLES FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE BY EMULSION GELATION TECHNIQUE

Cross-linked guar gum microparticles of curcumin were prepared for controlled release by emulsion gelation method using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent. Morphology and surface characteristics of the formulations were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Particle size of the guar gum microparticles was determined by optical microscopy. The mean particle size ranged from 82 to 250 μ. The % drug loading was found to be in the range of 20 to 51% while the percentage encapsulation efficiency was ranging between 29 to 86%. FT-IR and DSC studies revealed the compatibility of the drug with the polymer. Formulation CGMP3 exhibited maximum % EE of 84%, In vitro drug-release studies were performed in simulated gastric fluid (without enzymes) for 2 h followed by simulated intestinal fluid (without enzymes) for 6 h and continued for 24 h. Formulation CGMP3 exhibited relatively more sustained release profile than the other formulations. All formulations of 1.5% guar gum (CGMP2, CGMP3 and CGMP4) have shown retarded release than 1.0 % guar gum formulations (CGMP6, CGMP7 and CGMP8). Optimal glutaraldehyde concentration was found to be 2%. The optimized formulation subjected to stability studies was found to be stable when observed for particle size and drug content.