The pH-responsiveness carrier of sanxan gel beads crosslinked with CaCl2 to control drug release

Natural polysaccharide-based gel carriers have been widely studied for their potential to provide slow and controlled release. Sanxan is an edible polysaccharide produced by Sphingomonas sanxanigenens. In this study, gel beads were prepared using the extrusion dripping method with sanxan as the carrier material and HCl and CaCl2 as the fixing solution. The molecular structure, texture profile, and microstructure of the bead were analyzed. And the swelling characterization and in vitro release of beads were evaluated. The results of Fourier-transform infrared analysis indicate that Ca2+ was used to create an ionically crosslinked structure of sanxan. Texture analyzer and scanning electron microscope studies showed that the acid‑calcium gel exhibited physical resistance and resilience, as well as a distinct gel pore structure. The swelling, dissolution, and drug release of the beads decreased as the amount of CaCl2 increased. Compared to the control (without CaCl2), the release of sanxan beads when 0.5 CaCl2 was added (sanxan carboxyl/Ca2+, by the number of moles M/M) in the stomach and small intestine release decreased by 40.9 % and 49.5 %, respectively. This study indicates that the fabrication of sanxan-Ca2+ crosslinked gel had sustained release characteristics, indicating that sanxan carriers have great potential for gradual and regulated medication delivery.