Production of uniform polylactic acid beads

Polylactic acid (PLA) microbeads with spherical shape having a diameter around 550 μm were produced using a three-step process. Firstly, uniform PLA droplets (dissolved in DCM) were stabilized in a calcium-alginate shell. Then the organic solvent was evaporated and finally, the PLA microspheres were recovered by dissolution of the alginate shell in tri-sodium citrate solution.Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) could be embedded in the PLA matrix to extend the shelf live, increase the bioavailability as well as retarding its release.