FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ASPIRIN MICROSPHERES BY COACERVATION PHASE SEPARATION METHOD

The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of aspirin microspheres using the coacervation phase separation method. Gelatin and gelatin–carbopol polymer combinations were utilized in six formulations (F1–F6) to optimize microencapsulation efficiency, flow properties, and drug release performance. Microspheres were prepared by thermal-induced coacervation followed by cross-linking using glutaraldehyde. The prepared microspheres were evaluated for particle size, drug entrapment efficiency, pre-compression parameters, in-vitro drug release, infrared spectroscopy, and assay by HPLC. The mean particle size across all formulations predominantly ranged around 850 µm, indicating uniformity. Flow properties such as bulk density, Carr’s index, Hausner’s ratio, and angle of repose were within acceptable limits, confirming good micromeritic behavior. IR spectroscopy confirmed the absence of interactions between aspirin and the polymers. Drug release studies revealed controlled release, and among all formulations, F3 exhibited optimal characteristics in terms of entrapment efficiency, flow properties, and dissolution profile. Overall, the study demonstrates that coacervation is an effective technique for developing controlled-release aspirin microspheres suitable for further development.