For instance, % equilibrium swelling
decreased from 393 to 337 with increasing amount of GA
from 2.5 to 7.5 mL. This is due to increased cross-link density
and decreased pore volume of the blend matrix (Patel,
Patel, & Kansara, 1994) with increasing amount of GA in
the matrix. Since MC is a water-soluble polymer, it is readily
miscible with NaAlg in all proportions and hence,
blending of MC with NaAlg will increase the matrix swelling
due to their higher water uptake. By increasing the drug
loading of the blends, % water uptake also increased. For
instance,