PRODUCTION AND DRUG RELEASE ASSESMENT OF MELATONIN LOADED ALGINATE/GUM ARABIC BEADS

Melatonin containing alginate-gum arabic beads were produced by ionotropic gelation. The most suitable alginate-gum arabic ratio for bead production was optimized. To the optimized beads the loading of changing amounts of melatonin was conducted to produce the beads with the best melatonin entrapment and release. Entrapment efficiency of the beads as melatonin carrier was calculated to be approximately 70%. Release profiles of melatonin from the beads were generated using in vitro gastric fluid (pH 1.5) and intestinal fluid (pH 7.4). According to results obtained, following a burst in the first half hour, melatonin release from the beads in pH 1.5 medium was approximately 45% in the first 5 hours whereas the release was approximately 50% in pH 7.4 medium. The results indicate that the beads manufactured may be used as carriers for controlled release of melatonin.