Melt pelletization of alginate: Effects of air pressurization on consolidation and drug release property of pellets

- Alginate pellets are prepared by air-pressurized melt pelletization technique.
- Melt pelletization is conducted in a high shear mixer.
- Air-pressurized melt pellets exhibit slow drug release characteristics.
- Pellet consolidation within short processing time sustains drug release.
- Prolonged air bubbling induces porous core that fails to sustain drug release.