This study describes the preparation of mucoadhesive alginate-chitosan beads containing theophylline intended for colon-specific delivery. The calcium alginate beads were coated with chitosan by the ionotropic hydrogelation method with a polyelectrolyte complex reaction between two oppositely charged polyions. The release profiles of theophylline from the beads were determined by ultraviolet-visible absorption measurement at 272 nm. Scanning electron microscopy was used for morphology observation. The in vitro mucoadhesive tests for particles were carried out with the freshly excised jejunum of Sprague-Dawley rats. The bead particles, which ranged in size from 200 to 400 mu m, exhibited excellent mucoadhesive properties. The results showed that the formulated coated beads succeeded in controlling the release of theophylline over a 24-h period. In conclusion, the release of theophylline was found to be dependent on the composition of the beads, the component polymer and its possible interactions, and the bioadhesiveness. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 111: 2452-2459, 2009