Characterization of the Physicochemical Properties of β-Cyclodextrin-Divinyl Sulfone Polymer Carrier-Bile Acid...

Herein, we report on the systematic design and characterization of cross-linked polymer carriers containing β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and divinyl sulfone (DVS). The polymer carriers were prepared at variable feed ratios (β-CD-DVS; 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:6) and characterized using spectroscopy (IR, ¹H solution NMR, and ¹³C CP-MAS solids NMR spectroscopy), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a dye decolorization method using phenolphthalein. Uptake studies were carried out at pH 9.00 for the polymer carriers using single component bile acids (cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, and taurodeoxycholic acid). Equilibrium uptake results were evaluated by the Langmuir isotherm model where variable equilibrium parameters were related to the relative apolar character of the bile acid. The Langmuir model yields a carrier/bile acid binding affinity of ∼10³ M^-1 where the lipophilic inclusion sites of the polymer play a prominent role, while the DVS linker framework sites have a lower adsorption affinity, in accordance with the greater hydrophilic character of such sites.