Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Carrier with Calcium Carbonate as Calcium Source for Ibuprofen Release

Abstract Sodium alginate (SA) hydrogels crosslinked by calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and gluconolactone (GDL) are prepared and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. The morphologies of the gel are observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SA hydrogels are used as carriers of the anti‐inflammatory drug ibuprofen (IBU). The effects of GDL content, pH value, and temperature on IBU release behavior are investigated and associated kinetic analysis is performed. The results show that the cumulative release of IBU shows a trend of increasing and then decreasing with increased GDL content. The maximum cumulative release is observed when the molar ratio of calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) in CaCO 3 to GDL is 0.6. The release behavior of IBU is observed to be influenced by pH levels, and it exhibits an optimal release trend at a pH value of 7.4. The impact of temperature on the release behavior of IBU is relatively insignificant compared to other factors. The Korsmeyer–Peppas release kinetic model is well fitted and suitable to explain the release behavior of IBU from the sodium alginate hydrogel.