PREPARATION OF GALACTOMANNAN BEADS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS

Preparation of spherical beads of depolymerised, cationic, anionic and native guaran polymers has been carried out by using ''Syringe Extrus ion Method''. Variables affecting bead formation were identified and o ptimised. Beads of native and depolymerised guaran were earlier used i n gel filtration chromatography, affinity media for lectins, add immob ilization of biologically active molecules, while the beads of cationi c and anionic guaran are found suitable as ion-exchangers and in chira l chromatographic column packing. Besides chromatography, polysacchari de beads have been used for making sustained release drug formulations , where the beads should be soluble or dispersible in water. Since the re is no cross-linking involved in this method, these beads are water soluble and are suitable for use as carrier for drugs.