Exploiting Fatty Acid-Polymer-Based Lauric Acid and Chitosan as Coating Material for Drug Encapsulation

Abstract

A hybrid of saturated fatty acid and natural polymer was exploited as a coating material to encapsulated drug. Thus in this research, both lauric acid (C12 fatty acid) and chitosan were used as coating formulation for drug release at two different pH (1.2 and 6.8). The combination of fatty acid and chitosan, a linear polysaccharide, provides a better control of the drug release by selectively releasing the encapsulated drug in the selected pH. Results from FTIR and SEM showed that lauric acid-chitosan capsule coating is proven to have a film forming capability and stability with a controlled drug release at the mimicking human colon area pH. Moreover, initial study using in-vitro dissolution method indicated their capability to form a membrane and protect the drug from degradation.