Innovat International Journal Of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2018; 3(2)

www.innovatpublisher.com
A REVIEW REPORT ON MICROENCAPSULATION
ISSN No. 2456-8694
Review Article
BHAWANA, HEMRAJ VASHIST, AJAY CHANDEL
LR Institute of Pharmacy Oachghat Solan HP-173223. Email:rajhem732@gmail.com

Received 2018.2.20-Accepted 2018.2.28

ABSTRACT

Microencapsulation provides the means of converting liquids to solids, of altering colloidal and surface properties, of providing environmental protection and of
controlling the release characteristics or availability of coated materials. Several of these properties can be attained by macro packaging techniques however, the
uniqueness of microencapsulation is the smallness of the coated particles and their subsequent use and adaptation to a wide variety of dosage forms and not has
been technically feasible.
Key word: Microencapsulation, liquids to solids, microencapsulation

INTRODUCTION
material to form composites or encapsulates has a great relevance for
Microencapsulation is a process by which very tiny droplets or
pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The main objective of
particles of liquid or solid material are surrounded or coated with a
this article is taking a look at microencapsulation as a novel drug
continuous film of polymeric material.Microencapsulation includes
delivery system. Its scope extends beyond conventional microcapsules
Bioencapsulation which is more restricted to the entrapment of a
to all other small particulate systems such as self-assembling
biologically active substance (from DNA to entire cell or group of cells
structures that involve preparative manipulation. The review covers
for example) generally to improve its performance &/or enhance its
encapsulation materials, techniques of preparation, physics of release
shelf life1 .
through the capsule wall, characterization of microcapsules and the
Microencapsulation provides the means of converting liquids to solids, many uses to which microcapsules are put.
of altering colloidal and surface properties, of providing
K. Malleswari,gives the review of microencapsulation that
environmental protection and of controlling the release
microencapsulation is a well-established dedicated to the
characteristics or availability of coated materials. Several of these
preparation, properties and uses of individually encapsulated novel
properties can be attained by macro packaging techniqueshowever,
small particles, as well as significant improvements to tried-and-
the uniqueness of microencapsulation is the smallness of the coated
tested techniques relevant to micro and nanoparticles and their use in
particles and their subsequent use and adaptation to a wide variety of
a wide variety of industrial, engineering, pharmaceutical,
dosage forms and not has been technically feasible2.
biotechnology and research applications. The Micro particulate offers
Microencapsulation process a variety of opportunities such as protection and masking, reduced
dissolution rate, facilitation of handling, and spatial targeting of the
active ingredient. Microencapsulation technology can protect active
materials against environment, stabilize them, prevent or suppress
volatilization.
REASONS FOR MICROENCAPSULATION
 The primary reason for microencapsulation is found to be
either for sustained or prolonged drug release.
 This technique has been widely used for masking taste and
odor of many drugs to improve patient compliance.
 This technique can be used for converting liquid drugs in a
free flowing powder.
REVIEW LITERATURE  The drugs, which are sensitive to oxygen, moisture or light,
can be stabilized by microencapsulation.
S.S.Bansode,proposed thatthe review of Microencapsulation is a  Incompatibility among the drugs can be prevented by
well-established dedicated to the preparation, properties and uses of microencapsulation.
individually encapsulated novel small particles, as well as significant  Vaporization of many volatile drugs e.g. methyl salicylate and
improvements to tried-and-tested techniques relevant to micro and peppermint oil can be prevented by microencapsulation.
nanoparticles and their use in a wide variety of industrial,  Many drugs have been microencapsulated to reduce toxicity
engineering, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and research applications. and GI irritation including ferrous sulphate and KCL.
Its scope extends beyond conventional microcapsules to all other  Alteration in site of absorption can also be achieved by
small particulate systems such as selfassembling structures that microencapsulation.
involve preparative manipulation and their use in a wide variety of  Toxic chemicals such as insecticides may be
industrial, engineering, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology and microencapsulated to reduce the possibility of sensitization of
research applications. factorial person.
Deepak K Mishra, investigated thatthe formulation of natural  Bakan and Anderson reported that microencapsulated
substances together with a biocompatible or biodegradable carrier vitamin A palmitate had enhanced stability.3

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ADVANTAGES The coating substrate of core material may have a decisive effect on
coating properties. Hence, the selection of a particular coating
 An effective protection of the encapsulated active agent against material involves consideration of both classic free-film data and
(e.g. enzymatic) degradation. applied results
 The possibility to accurately control the release rate of the
incorporated drug over periods of hours to months. COATING MATERIAL PROPERTIES
 An easy administration (compared to alternative parenteral
 Stabilization of core material.
controlled release dosage forms, such as macro-sized implants.
 Inert toward active ingredients.
 Desired, pre-programmed drug release profiles can be provided
which match the therapeutic needs of the patient.  Controlled release under specific conditions.
 Film-forming, pliable, tasteless, stable.
RELEASE MECHANISMS  Non-hygroscopic, no high viscosity, economical.
 Soluble in an aqueous media or solvent, or melting.
Mechanisms of drug release from microspheres are
 The coating can be flexible, brittle, hard, thin etc.
Degradation controlled monolithic system :-
Examples of coating materials
The drug is dissolved in matrix and is distributed uniformly
Water soluble resins – Gelatin, Gum Arabic, Starch,
throughout. The drug is strongly attached to the matrix and is released
Polyvinylpyrrolidone, Carboxymethylcellulose, Hydroxyethylcellulose,
on degradation of the matrix. The diffusion of the drug is slow as
Methylcellulose, Arabinogalactan, Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyacrylic acid.
compared with degradation of the matrix.
Water insoluble resins – Ethylcellulose, Polyethylene,
Diffusion controlled monolithic system :-
Polymethacrylate, Polyamide (Nylon), Poly (EthyleneVinyl acetate),
Here the active agent is released by diffusion prior to or concurrent Cellulose nitrate, Silicones, Poly(lactideco-glycolide).
with the degradation of the polymer matrix. Rate of release also
Waxes and lipids – Paraffin, Carnauba, Spermaceti, Beeswax, Stearic
depend upon where the polymer degrades by homogeneous or
acid, Stearyl alcohol, Glycerylstearates .
heterogeneous mechanism.
Enteric resins – Shellac, Cellulose acetate phthalate, Zein2.
Diffusion controlled reservoir system :-Here the active agent is
encapsulated by a rate controlling membrane through which the agent TECHNIQUES TO MANUFACTURE MICROCAPSULES
diffuses and the membrane erodes only after its delivery is completed.
In this case, drug release is unaffected by the degradation of the Physical methods
matrix.
Air-suspension coating
Erosion :-Erosion of the coat due to pH and enzymatic hydrolysis
causes drug release with certain coat material like glyceryl mono Air-suspension coating of particles by solutions or melts gives better
stearate, beeswax and steryl alcohol etc3. control and flexibility. The particles are coated while suspended in an
upward-moving air stream. They are supported by a perforated plate
CORE MATERIALS having different patterns of holes inside and outside a cylindrical
insert. Just sufficient air is permitted to rise through the outer annular
The core material, defined as the specific material to be coated, can be
space to fluidize the settling particles. Most of the rising air (usually
liquid or solid in nature. The composition of the core material can be
heated) flows inside the cylinder, causing the particles to rise rapidly.
varied, as the liquid core can include dispersed and/or dissolved
At the top, as the air stream diverges and slows, they settle back onto
materials. The solid core be active constituents, stabilizers, diluents,
the outer bed and move downward to repeat the cycle. The particles
excipients, and release-rate retardants or accelerators. The ability to
pass through the inner cylinder many times in a few minutes methods.
vary the core material composition provides definite flexibility and
utilization of this characteristics often allows effectual design and The air suspension process offers a wide variety of coating materials
development of the desired microcapsule properties2 . candidates for microencapsulation. The process has the capability of
applying coatings in the form of solvent solutions, aqueous solution,
COATING MATERIALS
emulsions, dispersions or hot melts in equipment ranging in capacities
The coating material should be capable of forming a film that is from one pound to 990 pounds. Core materials comprised of micron
cohesive with the core material; be chemically compatible and or submicron particles can be effectively encapsulated by air
nonreactive with the core material; and provide the desired coating suspension techniques, but agglomeration of the particles to some
properties, such as strength, flexibility, impermeability, optical larger size is normally achieved 4.
properties, and stability. The coating materials used in
Coacervation Process
microencapsulation methods are amenable, to some extent, to in situ
modification. Solution of the shell material in water.
The selection of a given coating often can be aided by the review of
existing literature and by the study of free or cast films, although Example: Copolymer coating
practical use of free-film information often is impeded for the Gum arabic solution 20-30%
following reasons: Gelatin solution 20%

Cast or free films prepared by the usual casting techniques yield films Preparation
that are considerably thicker than those produced by the The core material will be added to the solution. The core material
microencapsulation of small particles; hence, the results obtained
should not react or dissolve in water (maximum solubility 2%)
from the cast films may not be extrapolate to the thin microcapsule
coatings. Dispersion

The particular microencapsulation method employed for the The core material is dispersed in the solution. The particle size will be
deposition of a given coating produces specific and inherent defined by dispersion parameter, as stirring speed, stirrer shape,
properties that are difficult to simulate with existing film-casting surface tension and viscosity. Size range ca. 2µm - 1200µm
methods.

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Coacervation them in a ring-shaped hardening bath. This process is excellent for

forming particles 400–2,000 µm (16–79 mils) in diameter. Since the
• Coacervation starts with a change of the pH value of the dispersion, drops are formed by the breakup of a liquid jet, the process is only
e.g. by adding H2SO4, HCl or organic acids. The result is a reduction of suitable for liquid or slurry. A high production rate can be achieved,
the solubility of the dispersed phases (shell material). i.e., up to 22.5 kg (50 lb) of microcapsules can be produced per nozzle
• The shell material (coacervate) starts to precipitate from the per hour per head. Heads containing 16 nozzles are available4.
solution.
• The shell material forms a continuous coating around the core Pan coating
droplets.
The pan coating process, widely used in the pharmaceutical industry,
Cooling and hardening phase is among the oldest industrial procedures for forming small, coated
particles or tablets. The particles are tumbled in a pan or other device
• The shell material is cooled down to harden and forms the final while the coating material is applied slowly4.
capsule.
• Hardening agents like formaldehyde can be added to the process. The pan coating process, widely used in the pharmaceutical industry,
• The microcapsules are now stable in the suspension and ready to be is among the oldest industrial procedures for forming small, coated
dried. particles or tablets. The particles are tumbled in a pan or other device
while the coating material is applied slowly
Drying phase with respect to microencapsulation, solid particles greater than 600
• The suspension is dried in a spray dryer or in a fluidized bed drier. microns in size are generally considered essential for effective coating,
• Spray Drying is a suitable method for heat sensitive Products. and the process has been extensively employed for the preparation of
• The atomized particles assume a spherical shape. The rapid the controlled - release beads. Medicaments are usually coated onto
coating material keeps the core material below 100°C, even if the various spherical substrates such as nonpareil sugar seeds, and then
temperature in the drying chamber is much greater. coated with protective layers of various polymers.
• Microencapsulation makes the spray drying process easier for sticky
products like fruit pulp or juice, with a high content of invert sugar5.
Coacervation-Phase Separation
The general outline of the processes consists of three steps carried out
under continuous agitation:
Formation of three immiscible chemical phases – A liquid
manufacturing vehicle phase, a core material phase, and a coating
material phase. To form the three phases, the core material dispersed
in a solution of the coating polymer, the solvent for the polymer being
the liquid manufacturing vehicle phase. The coating material phase, an
immiscible polymer in a liquid state, is formed by utilizing one of the
methods of the methods of phase separation-coacervation, i.e., by
changing the temperature of the polymer solution; or by adding a salt, Representation of typical pan coating
nonsolvent, or incompatible polymer to the polymer solution; or by In practice, the coating is applied as a solution, or as an atomized
inducing a polymerpolymer interaction. spray, to the desired solid core material in the coating pans. Usually, to
Deposition of the coating – It consists of depositing the liquid polymer remove the coating solvent, warm air is passed over the coated
coating upon the core material. This is accomplished by controlled, materials as the coatings are being applied in the coating pans. In
physical mixing of the material in the manufacturing vehicle. some cases, final solvent removal is accomplished in a drying oven 2

Deposition if the liquid polymer coating around the core material

occurs if the polymer is adsorbed at the interface formed between the
core material and the liquid vehicle phase, and this adsorption
phenomenon is a prerequisite to effective coating. The continued
deposition of the coating material is promoted by a reduction in the
total free interfacial energy of the system, brought about by the
decrease of the coating material surface area during coleasance of the
liquid polymer droplets.
Rigidization of the coating – It involves rigidizing the coating, usually
by thermal, cross-linking, or desolvation techniques, to form a self-
sustaining microcapsules 2
eg. Coacervation Microencapsulation of Talc Particles with Poly
(methyl methacrylate) by Pressure-Induced Phase Separation of CO2-
Expanded Ethanol Solutions6.
Centrifugal extrusion
Liquids are encapsulated using a rotating extrusion head containing
concentric nozzles. In this process, a jet of core liquid is surrounded by
a sheath of wall solution or melt. As the jet moves through the air it List of variable affecting pan coating
breaks, owing to Rayleigh instability, into droplets of core, each coated Spray–drying
with the wall solution. While the droplets are in flight, a molten wall
may be hardened or a solvent may be evaporated from the wall Spray drying serves as a microencapsulation technique when an active
solution. Since most of the droplets are within ± 10% of the mean material is dissolved or suspended in a melt or polymer solution and
diameter, they land in a narrow ring around the spray nozzle. Hence, if becomes trapped in the dried particle. The main advantages is the
needed, the capsules can be hardened after formation by catching ability to handle labile materials because of the short contact time in

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the dryer, in addition, the operation is economical. In modern spray

dryers the viscosity of the solutions to be sprayed can be as high as
300mPa.s
Spray drying and spray congealing processes are similar in that both
involve dispersing the core material in a liquified coating substance
and spraying or introducing the core - coating mixture into some
environmental condition, whereby, relatively rapid solidification (and
formation) of the coating is effected. The principal difference between
the two methods, is the means by which coating solidification is
accomplished. Coating solidification in thecase of spray drying is
effected by rapid evaporation of a solvent in which the coating
material is dissolved. Coating solidification in spray congealing
methods, however, is accomplished by thermally congealing a molten
Sructure Of Microcapsule
coating material or by solidifying a dissolved coating by introducing
the coating - core material mixture into a nonsolvent. Removal of the Mononuclear (core-shell) microcapsules contain the shell around the
nonsolvent or solvent from the coated product is then accomplished core, while polynuclear capsules have many cores enclosed within the
by sorption, extraction, or evaporation techniques. shell. In matrix encapsulation, the core material is distributed
homogenously into the shell material.
In practice, microencapsulation by spray drying is conducted by
dispersing a core material in a coating solution, in which the coating In a relatively simplistic form, a microcapsule is a small sphere with
substance is dissolved and in which the core material is insoluble, and uniform wall around it. The material inside the microcapsule is
then by atomizing the mixture into air stream. The air, usually heated, referred to as the core, internal phase, or fill, whereas the wall
supplies the latent heat of vaporization required to remove the sometimes called a shell, coating, or membrane. Most microcapsules
solvent from the coating material, thus forming the microencapsulated have diameters between a few micrometers and a few millimeters.
product. The equipment components of a standard spray dryer The definition has been expanded, and includes more foods. Every
include an air heater, atomizer, main spray chamber, blower or fan, class of food ingredients has been encapsulated, flavors are the most
cyclone and product collector. common. The technique of micro capsulation depends on the physical
and chemical properties of the material to be encapsulated. These
Microencapsulation by spray congealing can be accomplished with
microcapsules have a numbers of benefits such as converting liquid to
spray drying equipment when the protective coating is applied as a
solid, separating reactive compounds, providing environmental
melt. General process variables and conditions are quite similar to
protection, improved material handling properties. Active materials
those already described, except that the core material is dispersed in a
are then encapsulated in micron-sized capsules of barrier polymers
coating material melt rather than a coating solution. Coating
(gelatin, plastic, wax) many microcapsules however bear little
solidification (and microencapsulation) is accomplished by spraying
resemblance to these simple spheres. The core may be a crystal, a
the hot mixture into a cool air stream. Waxes, fatty acids and alcohols,
jagged adsorbent particle, an emulsion, a suspension of solids, or
polymers and sugars, which are solids at room temperature but
suspension of smaller microcapsules. The microcapsule even may
meltable at reasonable temperatures, are applicable to spray
have multiple walls.5
congealing techniques. Typically, the particle size of spray congealed
products can be accurately controlled when spray drying equipment is MATERIALS INVOLVED IN MICROCAPSULATION
used, and has been found to be a function of the feed rate, the
atomizing wheel velocity, dispersion of feed material viscosity, and Microencapsulation is the process by which individual particles
variables2 or droplets of solid or liquid material (the core) are surrounded
or coated with a continuous film of polymeric material (the shell)
FEATURES OF MICROCAPSULE to produce capsules in the micrometer to millimeter range,
Microencapsulation is the packaging of small droplets of liquid or Core Material:The material to be coated
particles with a thin film. Typically, the lowest particle size of
microcapsules is 1μm and the largest size is 1mm. Microcapsules  It may be liquid or solid
consist of a core and a wall (or shell). The configuration of the core can  Liquid core may be dissolved or dispersed material.
be a spherical or irregular particle, liquid-phase suspended solid, solid
Coating Material: Inert substance which coats on core with desired
matrix, dispersed solid and aggregate of solids or liquid form.4
thickness
 Compatible with the core material.
 Stabilization of core material.
 Inert toward active ingredients.
 Controlled release under specific conditions.
 The coating can be flexible, brittle, hard, thin etc.
 Abundantly and cheaply available.
E.g. coating material
1. Gums: Gum Arabic, sodium alginate, carragenan.
2. Carbohydrates: Starch, dextran, sucrose.
3. Celluloses: Carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose.
4. Lipids: Bees wax, stearic acid, phospholipids.
Classification of Microcapsule 5. Proteins: Gelatin, albumin.

Classification: Microcapsules can be classified on three basic Polymers

categories according to their morphology.
 Synthetic polymers: PMMA, Epoxy polymers, poly
Mononuclear anhydrides etc.
Poly nuclear and  Natural polymers: Gelatin, collagen, starch, agarose,
Matrix type chitosan.6

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 Density Determination: The density of the microspheres can

be measured by using a multi volume pychnometer. Accurately
RELEASE MECHANISM weighed sample in a cup is placed into the multi volume
Mechanisms of drug release from microspheres are: pynometer. Helium is introduced at a constant pressure in
chamber and allowed to expand.
 Bulk density: The microspheres fabricated are weighed and
transferred toa 10 ml glass graduated cylinder. The cylinder is
tapped using an auto trap (quantach –Rome, FL,USA) until the
microsphere bed volume is stabilized .The bulk density is
estimated by the ratio of microsphere weight to the final volume
of the tapped microsphere bed.8
MICROENCAPSULATION TECHNIQUES
 Air suspension technique
 Coacervation-phase separation process
 Spray drying and spray congealing
 Multiorifice centrifugation process
 Pan coating

Polymerization
Degradation controlled monolithic system
The drug is dissolved in matrix and is distributed uniformly Air Suspension Technique (WURSTER PROCESS)
throughout. The drug is strongly attached to the matrix and is released
on degradation of the matrix. The diffusion of the drug is slow as Airsuspension technique was the invention of Professor Dale E
compared with degradation of the matrix. wurster. Microencapsulation by air suspension technique consist of
the dispersing of solid, particulate core materials in a supporting air
Diffusion controlled monolithic system stream and the spray coating on the air suspended particles. Within
Here the active agent is released by diffusion prior to or concurrent the coating chamber, particles are suspended on an upward moving
with the degradation of the polymer matrix. Rate of release also air stream. The design of the chamber and its operating parameters
depends on where the polymer degrades by homogenous or effect a recirculating flow of the particles through the coating zone
heterogeneous mechanism. portion of the chamber, where a coating material, usually a polymer
solution, is spray applied to the moving particles.9
Diffusion controlled reservoir system
Here the active agent is encapsulated by a rate controlling membrane
through which the agent diffuses and the membrane erodes only after
its delivery is completed. In the case, drug release is unaffected by the
degradation of the matrix.
Erosion
Erosion of the coat due to pH and enzymatic hydrolysis causes drug
release drug release with certain coat material like
glycerylmonostearate, beeswax and steryl alcohol etc. 7
MORPHOLOGY OF MICROSPHERE
The surface morphologies of microspheres are examined by a
scanning electron microscope (XL 30 SEM Philips, Eindhoven, and the
microsphere are mounted on to a copper cylinder (10mm in diameter, During each pass through the coating zone, the core material receives
10mm in height) by using a double-sided adhesive tape. The an increment of coating material. The cyclic process is repeated,
specimens are coated at a current of 10mA for 4 min using an ion perhaps several hundred times during processing,
sputtering device (JFC-1100E, Jeol, Japan). Atomic force microscopy
(AFM). depending on the purpose of microencapsulation the coating
thickness desired or whether the core material particles are
Particle size thoroughly encapsulated. The supporting air stream also serves to dry
Particle size determination approximately 30mg microparticles the product while it is being encapsulated. Drying rates are directly
areredispersed in 2-3 ml distilled water, containing 0.1% (m/m) related to the volume temperature of the supporting air stream.
Tween 20 for 3 min, using ultrasound and then transferred into the Coacervation -phase separation process
small volume recirculating unit, operating at 60 ml/s. The
microparticles size can be determined by laser diffractometry using a Coacervation is the process of formation of spherical droplets of
Malvern Mastersizer X (Malvern instruments, UK). organic molecule which are held together by hydrophobic forces.
Polymer solubility in the solvents Simple coacervation: In the presence of only one
macromolecule/polymer, this process is referred to as simple
 Solvent turbidity is a strong indication of solvent power. The coacervation.
cloud point can be used 2.for the determination of the solubility
of the polymer in the different organic solvent. Complex coacervation: When two or more macromolecules of
 Viscosity of the polymer solutions: The absolute viscosity, opposite charge is present, it is referred to as complex coacervation.
kinematic viscosity, and the intrinsic viscosity of the polymer
This process of microencapsulation is generally referred to The
solutions in different solvents can be measured by a U-tube
National Cash Register (NCR) Corporation and the patents of B.K.
viscometer (viscometer constant at 400C is 0.0038 mm1/s/s) at
Green.
25 0.10c in the thermostatic bath.

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This process consists of three steps particle through an enveloping microencapsulation membrane
therapy effecting mechanical microencapsulation.
 Formation of three immiscible phases; a liquid manufacturing
phase, a core material phase and a coating material phase.
 Deposition of the liquid polymer coating on the core material.
 Rigidizing of the coating material.
Step-1: The first step of coacervation phase separation involves the
formation of three immiscible chemical phases: a liquid vehicle phase,
a coating material phase and a core material phase. The three phases
are formed by dispersing the core material in a solution of coating
polymer, the vehicle phase is used as a solvent for polymer. The
coating material phase consists of a polymer in a liquid phase, is
formed by using one of the of phase separation- coacervation method,
i.e. .by changing the temperature of the polymer solution, by adding a
solution, or by inducing a polymer- polymer interaction18

Processing variables include the rotational speed of the cylinder, the

flow rate of the core and coating materials, the concentration and
viscosity of the coating material an the viscosity and surface tension of
the core material. This method is capable of microencapsulating
liquids and solids of varied size ranges, with diverse coating materials.
Pan Coatings The microcapsulation of relatively large particles by
pan coating method are generally considered essential for effective
coating. The coating is applied as a solution or as an automized spray
to the desired solid core passed over the coatedmaterials during
coatings.12

Step-2: It involves the deposition of the liquid polymer coating upon

the core material. This is done by controlled mixing of liquid coating
material and the core material in the manufacturing vehicle. The
liquid coating polymer deposited on the core material if the polymer is
adsorbed at the interface formed between the core material and liquid
phase. The reduction in the total free interfacial energy of the system
help to promote the deposition of the coating material, brought by the
decrease of the coating material surface area during coalescence of the
liquid polymer droplets.
Step-3: In the last step rigidizing of the coating material done by the
thermal, cross linking desolvation techniques, to forms a self
supporting microcapsule. Microencapsulation by coacervationphase
separation process.10
Spray drying spray congealing method Polymerization
Spray drying is a unit operation by which a liquid product is atomized The method involves the reaction of monomeric unit located at their
in a hot gas current to instantaneously obtain a powder. The gas interface existing between a core material and a continuous phase in
generally used is air or more rarely an inert gas as nitrogen. The initial which the core material is dispersed. The continuous or core material
liquid feeding the sprayer can be a solution, an emulsion or a supporting phase is usually a liquid or gas and therefore the
suspension. Spray-drying produces, depending on the starting feed polymerization reaction occurs at a liquid-liquid, liquid-gas, solid-
material and operating conditions, a very fine powder (1050 lm) or liquid or solid-gas interface e.g., microcapsules containing protein
large size particles (2-3 mm). Spray drying serves as a solutions by incorporating the protein in the aqueous
microencapsulation technique when an active material is dissolved or diaminephase.13
suspended in a melt or polymer solution and becomes trapped in the
dried particle. The main advantages is the ability to handle thermo
labile materials because of the short contact time in the dryer, in
addition, the operation is economical. In modern spray dryers the
viscosity of the solutions to be sprayed can be as high as 300 mPa.s
(mili Pascal second). The principal difference between the two
methods is the means by which coating solidification is accomplished.
Coating solidification in the case of spray drying is effected by rapid
evaporation of a solvent in which the coating material is dissolved.
Coating solidification in spray congealing methods, however, is
accomplished by thermally congealing a molten coating material or by
solidifying adissolved coating by introducing the coating - core
material mixture into a nonsolvent. 11
Multiorifice centrifugal process: The South-West research institute
(SWRI) has developed a mechanical process for producing
microcapsules that utilizes centrifugal forces to hurl, a core material

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APPLICATIONS OF MICROENCAPSULATION CONCLUSION

Some of the applications of microencapsulation are shown in (Table 4) Microencapsulation means packaging an active ingredient inside a
and illustrated as below: capsule ranging in size from one micron to several millimeters. The
capsule protects the active ingredient from its surrounding
 Microencapsulation can be used to prepare enteric-coated environment until an appropriate time. Then, the material escapes
dosage forms, so that the medicament can be selectively through the capsule wall by various means, including rupture,
absorbed in the intestine rather than the stomach. dissolution, melting or diffusion. Microencapsulation is both an art
 It can be used to mask the taste of bitter drugs. and a science. There's no one way to do it, and each new application
 From the mechanical point of view, microencapsulation has provides a fresh challenge. Solving these riddles requires experience,
been used to aid in the addition of oily medicines to tableted skill and the mastery of many different technologies.
dosage form. This has been used to overcome problems
inherent in producing tablets from tacky granulations. This was REFERENCES
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riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, and iron phosphate may be
Industrial Pharmacy”, 3rd edition, 1990, Varghese Publishing
encapsulated and compress directly into tablets.
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3. James, S., “Encylopedia of Pharmaceutical Techonology ”, 3rd
edition,Vol-, 1325-1333.
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 The hygroscopic properties of many core materials may be
reduced by microencapsulation.
 Many drugs have been microencapsulated to reduce gastric
irritation.1

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