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Controlled release of urea from chitosan microspheres prepared by emulsification and cross-linking method

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Abstract

Encapsulation of urea was performed in chitosan microspheres via emulsification followed by cross-linking with genipin, a natural cross-linker. The microspheres were prepared by varying different parameters, e.g., concentrations of chitosan, urea and cross-linker. The effect of these parameters on urea loading (%), urea content (%), entrapment efficiency (%) and release rate was studied. Higher amount of chitosan (1.0 g) and cross-linker concentration (0.75 mmol/g of chitosan) produced entrapment efficiencies of 99.0 and 78.5 %, respectively. Release rate was found to be dependent on the concentrations of urea, chitosan, cross-linker and temperature of the release medium. Higher concentration of loaded urea enhanced the release rate, whereas higher concentrations of chitosan and cross-linker reduced it. Higher temperature of the release medium improved the release rate. It was found that water uptake (%) increased through the increase of concentrations of urea and chitosan and decrease of that of cross-linker. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the incorporation of urea in the chitosan microspheres. There was no significant interaction between chitosan and urea as evidenced by FTIR study. Surface of the urea-loaded microspheres appeared coarser and rough compared to that of unloaded microspheres as revealed by scanning electron microscopy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784 028, Assam, India

    Md. Rabiul Hussain, Rashmi R. Devi & Tarun K. Maji

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  1. Md. Rabiul Hussain
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  2. Rashmi R. Devi
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  3. Tarun K. Maji
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Correspondence to Tarun K. Maji.

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Hussain, M.R., Devi, R.R. & Maji, T.K. Controlled release of urea from chitosan microspheres prepared by emulsification and cross-linking method. Iran Polym J 21, 473–479 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-012-0051-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-012-0051-0

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