Microencapsulation based on emulsification for producing pharmaceutical products: A literature review

In this paper, microencapsulation based on emulsification coupling with solvent evaporation, ionotropic gelation, coacervation technique, and spray drying are critically reviewed. The introduction of biocompatible polymers, especially polyelectrolytes, as wall-forming materials are included. Membrane emulsification, surface modification, preparation of multilayer microcapsules, characterization methods, as well as modeling of drug release are summarized. This review suggests that membrane emulsification coupled with the ionotropic gelation/complex coacervation is the most promising method for microencapsulation under the mild conditions. Multilayer microcapsules using layer-by-layer complex coacervation, are efficient in obtaining the desired properties.