Optimized oil-entrapped alginate beads containing risperidone were placed in a 1.0% (w/w) alginate–sterculia gum (1:1) aqueous dispersion and subsequently introduced into CaCl2 solution (5% w/v) to form a polymeric coating on the core beads. The beads were left to harden in the CaCl2 solution for 10 min, washed with distilled water, and dried overnight at room temperature.