Iron succinyl casein encapsulated alginate beads for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional problem worldwide. Oral iron supplementation programs have failed because of noncompliance and gastrointestinal toxicity. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of alginate gel bead as an oral controlled release system of iron supplements and increase the stability of iron succinyl casein (ISC). Alginate beads containing ISC were prepared by the gelation of sodium alginate with calcium cations. The release profiles of ISC were investigated according to the concentration of polymer, the drug/sodium alginate ratio, the concentration and type of cation, curing time and pH of calcium chloride solution. (omitted)