Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency

The drug loading and encapsulation of 5-FU into the hydrogels were studied using reported method [44, 45]. For this, 5-FU solutions were prepared in double distilled water and weighed amount of various hydrogels were immersed in drug solutions. Drug loaded wet hydrogels were carefully taken out from solution after 48 hours. The absorbance of free 5-FU in the supernatant was determined by UV-vis spectrometer at 266 nm. The concentration of free 5-FU was determined from the calibration curve (1–20 μg/ml). The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were calculated using the following Eqs 8 & 9.