*4.3.2 Effect of κ-Car and gelatin on curcumin release*

*κ*-*Car* content on drug release has been studied by varying *κ*-*Car* in the range 20–50% (w/w). **Figure 4** clearly depicts that the amount of released curcumin increases with increasing *κ*-*Car* content. With increase in *κ*-*Car* content in hydrogel beads, swelling increases resulting in enhanced drug release. Alginate/*κ*-*Car* beads with alginate/*κ*-*Car* weight ratio 50:50 showed highest curcumin release percentage (95.45%), owing to the fact that the matrices were built on weak entanglements driven by the presence of *κ*-*Car*.

#### *4.3.3 Effect of gelatin on curcumin release*

In the case of alginate/gelatin hydrogel beads, influence of gelatin content on curcumin release was studied by varying its amount in the range 20–50% (w/w) (**Figure 7**). Drug release investigations suggests that with increasing gelatin content, release of curcumin from alginate/gelatin hydrogel beads increases and the observed curcumin release is due to the larger swelling. Alginate/gelatin hydrogel beads with 50:50 weight ratios showed 48.24% curcumin release.
