The preparation and characterisation of tasteless core-shell clarithromycin microcapsules

Abstract

This study aims to fabricate core-shell clarithromycin (CAM) microcapsules to cover up the bitter taste of CAM by spray drying with aqueous polymer dispersion. Water dispersion of Eudragit EPO and Surelease^® were innovatively used to encapsulate CAM into microcapsules via a one-step spray-drying method. The inlet air temperature, airflow rate, CAM-polymer ratio, and particle size of CAM were optimised based on drug content and T_6% (the time taken for the drug to release equal to 6% w/w). The powder properties were assessed by measuring particle size and microstructure using SEM, FT-IR, and PXRD. Furthermore, selected batch was assessed for their drug content, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release, bitterness, and stability studies. EPO-Surelease^® (1: 4) microcapsules had an average diameter (D50) of 37.69 ± 3.61 μm with a span of 2.395. The drug contents and encapsulation efficiency of EPO-Surelease^®(1:4) were 10.89% and 63.7%, respectively. EPO-Surelease^® (1:4) microcapsules prepared by spray drying with aqueous polymer dispersion can effectively mask the bitter taste of CAM.

Keywords:

• Tasteless
• clarithromycin
• aqueous polymer dispersion
• spray drying
• microcapsules

Acknowledgements

We were grateful for Amanda Pearce to correct the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Mega-project for Innovative Drugs [No.2019ZX09721001], Program for Liaoning Innovative Talents in University [2012520007], National Natural Science Foundation of China [81673378], Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program [XLYC1908031].