pH-responsive alginate-based composite hydrogel beads for oral insulin delivery

This research attempts to develop a pH-responsive alginate-based composite hydrogel beads for encapsulation and controlled delivery of oral insulin aspart through incorporation of κ-carrageenan as a reinforcement polymer and hydrophobic modification of alginate polymer. The alginate/κ-carrageenan composite hydrogel beads were able to fully retain the insulin in conditions mimicking the stomach and release the insulin in conditions mimicking the intestine at a constant rate. Bioactivity of insulin aspart in the composite hydrogel beads after acid-pretreatment was higher than that of pure alginate beads. The results suggest that the alginate/κ-carrageenan composite hydrogel beads is a promising system for oral insulin delivery.