Effect of formulation variables on entrapment efficiency and release characteristics of bovine serum albumin from carboxymethyl xanthan microparticles

Xanthan gum was derivatized to sodium carboxymethyl xanthan (SCMX) gum with a view to prepare bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐loaded carboxymethyl xanthan (CMX) microparticles through interaction with metal ion in a completely aqueous environment. The effect of various formulation variables, such as a pH of SCMX gum solution, concentration of BSA and SCMX gum, and gelation time on BSA entrapment efficiency and release of the protein in different media were studied. While BSA entrapment efficiency was found to decrease with increase in gelation time and initial BSA loading, the same was found to increase with increase in concentration of SCMX gum. Although the release of BSA in acidic medium was almost equal to that in alkaline medium, as compared up to 2 hr, the release in alkaline medium was found to be prolonged to a different extent depending upon the formulation variables. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.