Synthesis and Characterization of Alginate/xanthan/chitosan Microgelfor Potential Application as a mucoadhesive drug delivery system

Recent advances in drug delivery systems have the potential of natural biopolymers and their derivatives in developingtargeted and controlled release formulations. Bioadhesion is a manifold phenomenon which is important in celladhesion, mucoadhesion, drug delivery and surgical applications. In this study, microgels containing natural polymers(alginate and xanthan) with chitosan coating were investigated as potential drug delivery systems (DDSs) for theirmucoadhesive properties. The chemical composition and molecular interactions were characterized via FourierTransform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The hydrogel's swelling behavior were evaluated gravimetrically atpredetermined time intervals. Morphological analysis and porosity assessment were conducted using Scanning ElectronMicroscopy (SEM).