Microcapsule is a tiny sphere including core material/internal phase or fill, coated with/surrounded by wall know as shell, coating or membrane. The usual size range of the microcapsule lies between 1 to 1000 μm. The technique is usually applied for targeted drug delivery, protection of the molecule and stability if the core material. Microencapsulation system offers potential advantages over conventional drug delivery systems and also established as unique carrier systems for many pharmaceuticals. This article contains the traditional and the recent techniques, including their patents, for the preparation of microcapsules. Solvent exchange method, coacervation, polymerization, hot melts etc are several recent techniques are used for the preparation of the microcapsules. The microencapsulation technique, as Novel drug Delivery System (NDDS), is widely applied for delivery of probiotics, drugs, pesticide, food etc. Although significant advances have been made in the field of microencapsulation, still many challenges need to be rectified during the appropriate selection of core materials, coating materials and process techniques.... read all at
http://www.pharmatutor.org/articles/microencapsulation-advancements-technology-patents
