Controlled Drug Delivery Studies of Biological Macromolecules: Sodium Alginate and Lignosulphonic Acid Films

The ciprofloxacin (CPX)-loaded blends made of sodium alginate and lignosulfonic acid (LS) were prepared by solution casting method in the ratio of 80/20. The blends were crosslinked for different intervals of time to control the drug release. The drug release was investigated for 24 hours in different pH medium (1, 4, 7, and 9). It was confirmed that drug release is controlled by diffusion through the polymer matrix followed by the erosion of the polymer. The pH of the surrounding medium influences the drug solubility, swelling, and degradation rate of the polymer and therefore the overall drug release process. The blend shows minimal drug release at pH 1 and 9, whereas moderate release at pH 4, but rapid release at pH 7. Further FTIR, XRD, and SEM characterization are carried, to confirm the chemical-interaction, crystallization effects, and compatibility between the blend matrixes. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40442.