Aqueous solutions were prepared at different weight percentage ratios of CMLBG–ALG for a total concentration of 4% w/v.
The sol was loaded with 20% w/w drug and added dropwise through a 21G round flat-tipped needle into a 100 mL of a 5% w/v aqueous solution of aluminum chloride hexahydrate.
The sol droplets were incubated in the gelation medium for 15 min, and hydrogel beads were produced.
The beads were isolated by filtration, washed with distilled water (3 50 mL), and dried at 40C. The details of the formulation variables are given in Table I.
The drug-free or placebo hydrogel network beads were produced by the same method.