Objective      To study the preparation and characterization of calcium-gellan beads containing honokiol self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (GB-HSMEDDS).       Methods      GB-HSMEDDS were prepared by ionotropic gelation. With the encapsulation efficiency as indicators

the concentration of gellan gum and Ca

2+

cross-linking time and amount of added drug were selected as variables for single-factor experiment design. The swelling and release characteristics of the beads at pH 1.2 and 6.8 were investigated.       Results      T

he optimal preparation method included: gellan gum concentration 1.25%

CaCl

2

concentration 8%

the weight ratio of honokiol microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to gellan gum solution 0.15

and the cross-linking time 15 min. The encapsulation efficiency of GB-HSMEDDS was (64.0±2.8)%. The swelling degree of GB-HSMEDDS in PBS was greater than those in HCl solution. The cumulative release of honokiol was more than 50% in HCl solution but less than 20% in PBS for 2 h.       Conclusion      We successfully prepare gellan gum beads containing honokiol SMEDDS

a good carrier for producing solid SMEDDS.