Preparation and evaluation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride microbeads for delayed release

Oxytetracycline HCl microbeads were prepared with sodium alginate and pectin using ionic gelation method and evaluated for morphology, flow properties, drug content and in vitro drug release study. SEM confirmed spherical structure of microbeads with rough and porous surfaces and microbeads possessed average particle size range of 639.86 to 685.74 mu m. In vitro drug release study was carried out in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) for first 2 h and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) for next 6 h. Selected formulation was coated using enteric polymer cellulose acetate phthalate to minimize burst drug release along with delayed drug release in intestinal medium.