Controlled release captopril microcapsules: effect of ethyl cellulose viscosity grade on the in vitro dissolution from microcapsules and tableted microcapsules.

Captopril microcapsules were prepared using four different viscosity grades of ethyl cellulose (core: wall ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) by temperature induced coacervation from cyclohexane. In vitro dissolution studies in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid showed that the drug release was dependent on the core to wall ratio, the viscosity grade of the ethyl cellulose and thus the total viscosity of the coacervation system. Viscosity grade of greater than 100 c.p. was unsuitable for microencapsulation by coacervation method at the concentration used. The surface characteristics of a 1:2 core to wall ratio were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The surface of the microcapsules prepared with 10 c.p. viscosity grade was comparatively more porous with larger size pores than 50 c.p. viscosity grade of ethyl cellulose. However, 300 c.p. viscosity grade showed incomplete wall formation. The microcapsules did not fragment during dissolution, alter in shape or size, or show evidence of enlargement of the surface pores. The tensile strength of tablets prepared at constant pressure from each batch of microcapsules (mean diameter 675 microns) increased as both the core to wall ratios and the viscosity of ethyl cellulose increased. The dissolution rate of the drug from tableted microcapsules was significantly delayed. The in vitro release gave best correlation with first order release kinetics when compared to zero-order and square-root-of-time equations.