The study aimed to produce solid lipid insulin-loaded micro-particles by the solvent-in-water emulsion-diffusion technique, using isobutyric acid as solvent phase, glyceryl monostearate or cetyl palmitate as lipid, soya lecithin and taurodeoxycholate as emulsifiers. Isobutyric acid, a partially water-miscible solvent with low toxicity, was used due to its high insulin-solubilization capacity. Solid lipid micro-particles of spherical shape were prepared by simple dilution of the emulsion with water. To increase the lipid load the process was conducted at 50 degrees C, and in order to reach sub-micron size, a high-shear homogeniser was used. Insulin encapsulation efficiency was about 80%. Analysis of microsphere content after processing showed that insulin did not undergo any chemical modification within the micro-particles. The in vitro release of insulin from the micro-particles was very low, and an initial burst effect of 20% of the dose was observed. After treatment of the solid lipid micro-particles with pepsin solution, an insulin loss of about 24% of the total englobed insulin was observed. The solid lipid micro-particles appear to have interesting possibilities as delivery systems for oral administration of insulin.