Formulation of Enalapril-Loaded Microspheres Using Emulsion Solvent Evaporation Technique for Bitter Taste Masking

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to formulate polymer microspheres using the emulsion solvent evaporation technique as an approach to mask the bitter taste of enalapril maleate. Five models were prepared with two water-insoluble polymers. Talc was used to stabilize the particle structure. Production yields ranged from 38 % to 53 %; drug loading varied between 17 % and 40 %; the mean particle size ranged from 140 µm to 339 µm. No interaction between enalapril and the polymers was estimated. A drug release study in artificial saliva indicated a negligible amount of enalapril dissolved in the test medium which demonstrated successful taste masking.