Sodium Alginate Carboxymethyl Cellulose Composite Hydrogel Beads for Oral Drug Delivery

Abstract Biopolymer‐based hydrogels exhibit strong potential for drug delivery applications due to their biocompatibility and ability to achieve various drug release profiles by modifying the polymeric matrix. Among the different delivery routes, oral administration remains the most preferred due to its convenience and high patient compliance. This study aims to synthesize and evaluate composite hydrogel beads for oral drug delivery, using paracetamol as a model drug. Hydrogel beads were prepared using sodium alginate of different viscosities, as well as composite formulations combining sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at varying polymer concentrations. Calcium chloride was employed as an ionic crosslinking agent. The synthesized hydrogels were characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Surface morphology was examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the average weight, dimensions, and pH‐dependent swelling behavior (in distilled water, PBS pH 7.0, and pH 5.8) were evaluated. The results showed that hydrogel swelling was influenced by environmental pH. Composite hydrogels demonstrated higher drug loading capacities compared to native sodium alginate hydrogels. Drug release studies revealed enhanced release rates in composite formulations, with the release mechanism following the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, indicating diffusion‐controlled release. These findings suggest that the developed hydrogels are promising candidates for oral drug delivery, pending further in vivo evaluation.