Degradation and release properties of pellets fabricated from three commercial poly(D,L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) biodegradable polymers

Poly(D,L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide, 50:50) samples of similar molecular weight were obtained from three commercial sources and were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray powder diffraction, viscometry, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Pellets were prepared by meltpressing spray‐dried polymer with a 4‐mm standard concave punch and die set and a thermostated holder of original design. Amaranth (5% w/w) was incorporated in pellets used for release studies. Degradation and release studies were conducted at 37 °C in pH 7.2 phosphate buffered saline. The molecular weights of all polymers were found to decrease continuously after exposure to phosphate buffered saline. All polymers showed two distinct regions of molecular weight decrease. Mass loss experiments for all polymers resulted in sigmoidal curves typical of polymers undergoing bulk hydrolysis. The onset of mass loss (defined as 10% mass loss) was found to differ by as much as 6 days among the three polymers studied. The release studies showed an initial burst of release followed by a period of 15–25 days during which little or no dye was released. A second phase of release followed, lasting ˜10 days, until all dye was released. The time at which release began slightly preceded the onset of mass loss.