Aluminium and radiation cross-linked carboxymethyl sago pulp beads for colon targeted delivery

► AlCl3 cross-linked 5-ASA loaded carboxymethyl sago pulp beads were prepared. ► Ionotropically cross-linked beads were irradiated to further control drug release. ► FT-IR and drug content analysis confirmed stable nature of the drug in beads. ► XRD revealed different level of drug crystallinity depending on drug loading. ► Beads resisted drug release at pH 1.2 and sustained the release at pH 7.4 over 9 h.