In vitro evaluation of pectin-based colonic drug delivery systems

Pectin-based dosage forms with the potential for site-specific delivery to the colon have been evaluated using isolated enzymes and cultures of Bacteroides ovatus. The system used was designed and validated to allow systematic testing of colonic dosage forms which depend on the action of colonic bacteria for drug release. Preliminary experiments show the similarity in release patterns for the dosage form tested with isolated enzymes and bacterial cultures. This should enable further experiments to be performed to ascertain valid in vitro testing conditions.