Effect of double coating on microencapsulation of levofloxacin using the particles from gas-saturated solutions process as a controlled-release system

A novel double-coating technique was employed to encapsulate levofloxacin (LVF), a potent antibacterial drug, using the particles from gas-saturated solutions (PGSS) process to achieve extended release. The primary coating utilized glyceryl tristearate (GT), a lipid with a high melting point (72 °C), followed by a secondary coating with trimyristin (TM), a lipid with a lower melting point (52 °C). For comparison, a single-coating approach was also explored, using the biocompatible polymer poly-(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The resulting particles were characterized for their shape, size, and LVF encapsulation efficiency, with confirmation of LVF entrapment provided by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. The particles, with an average diameter of 95.3 ± 16.5 μm, exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of up to 92.1 ± 2.5%. Furthermore, in vitro release studies revealed that the double-coated microcapsules effectively suppressed the initial burst release and provided controlled, extended release of LVF (t30D = 36.3%), demonstrating the efficiency of this encapsulation method for prolonged drug delivery.