contienen algfinato de sodio procedentes de Sargassum cymosum (Phaeofphyta)

The sodium alginate extracted from seasonal Sargassum cymosum samples (autumn, winter, spring and summer) in Paciencia Beach (Penha- SC-Brazil) showed a viscosity of 18.3, 33.5, 62.6 and 34.2 mPa·s, respectively. Theophylline tablets(60 mg) containing 35 % of sodium alginate samples were analyzed by dissolution profile in a dissolution device at 100 rev×min -1 and 37 °C, using water as dissolution medium, during 6 h. Tablets with the lesser viscous sodium alginate sample (autumn) showed a complete disintegration and drug release after 1 h. Despite all others tablets have exhibited the same drug release mechanism, by diffusion, the winter sodium alginate tablets released > 90 % of theophylline after 3 h, while spring and summer sodium alginate tablets showed similar dissolution profile with a release > 90 % of drug after 6 h. In general, the less viscous polymers showed a faster drug release, but probably other characteristics beside viscosity have played role in this process.