AbstractThe current study describes the preparation and characterization of thermoreversible span‐60 and sunflower oil (SO)‐based organogels as a matrix for drug delivery. Effect of gelator concentration on the properties of the organogels was studied by physical property evaluation, stability, light microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, thermal analysis, pH, and hemocompatibility studies. The drug release kinetics and antimicrobial efficacy of the salicylic acid loaded organogels were studied. The rate of gelation of the gels was found to be quicker in organogels with higher gelator proportions. The gels were inherently stable when stored below 25°C. The micrographs indicated the presence of needle‐shaped crystals which formed aggregates resulting in the formation of three‐dimensional networked structures. FTIR indicated intermolecular hydrogen bonding amongst SO and span‐60 molecules responsible for the gelation. There was an increase in the crystallinity and the melting point of the organogels as the proportion of the organogelator was increased. The pH of the organogels indicated nonirritant nature of the gels, which were also found to be hemocompatible. The release of SA from organogels followed Higuchian kinetics and showed prolonged antimicrobial activity. The preliminary results indicated that the organogels may be tried as a matrix for controlled drug delivery. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012