Characterization of bacterial cellulose (Nata de coco)/pva composite for drug delivery application

Abstract

Numerous innovations in the field of biomedical engineering include the use of synthetic polymers as a drug carrier for drug delivery systems. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), with its properties of being a biocompatible, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic polymer, were infused into nata de coco, a bacterial cellulose, by immersing nata de coco slabs into PVA solutions to investigate its capability as a component in drug delivery systems. Different PVA concentrations were prepared to see any effect to the bacterial cellulose. The composites were characterized by analyzing the functional groups present, water uptake capacity and kinetics of methylene blue release. Effect of varying PVA concentration was not seen due to inconsistent amount of pure bacterial cellulose and water on tested samples. Study on the kinetics of methylene blue, modeled as a drug, loaded into the nata de coco/PVA composite was analyzed using Power Law Model. Results showed that the governing diffusion mechanism involved in the release of methylene blue from the composite samples were mainly ‘non-Fickian (anomalous). Tests performed, confirmed the capability of PVA to reinforce the bacterial cellulose matrix. Results showed that composites with high amount of PVA in their matrix released smaller amounts of methylene blue. Results showed that composites with high amount of PVA in their matrix released smaller amounts of methylene blue. PVA absorbed less water as the hydroxyl groups of BC were bonded to PVA PVA may have changed the morphological structure of bacterial cellulose affecting the diffusion mechanism of the methylene blue release. Findings of this study, based on nata de coco/PVA composites can be used for future studies of drug delivery systems.