This study analyses the use of chitosan for the production of surface crosslinked microparticulate systems containing insulin. The microcapsules were prepared by an innovative technique based on interfacial crosslinkage of different amounts of chitosan solubilized in the inner phase of a water/oil emulsion by means of ascorbyl palmitate. The correlation between the main formulation parameters and the functional properties of the microcapsules were analysed. Insulin is incorporated with high efficiency. The peptide release is constant for appreciable periods of time. The content of chitosan modulates the main physico-chemical properties of the matrix.