Ampicillin-incorporated alginate-chitosan fibers from microfluidic spinning and for vitro release

The fibrous drug-loading capability, degradation profile, drug release behavior and mechanical performance were found to be controlled by regulating the amount of IPA and chitosan, which delayed the degradable time-scale and improved the drug loading capacity. Six types of alginate fibers were spun by combining two distinct core flows with deionized water-based, ethanol-based and isopropyl alcohol-based sheath fluid, respectively. The as prepared fibers were analyzed and compared by the characterization of SEM, mass loss, ICP, FTIR, XRD, UV, mechanics performance testing and antibacterial activity tests. The results showed that fibers in the isopropyl alcohol with low polarity sheath flow exhibited higher-ordered structure. Also, incorporation of chitosan for the core stream strengthened the degree of crosslinking among the molecular chain, and thus made the fiber entrapped more drug of ampicillin molecular. The fibers, possessing superior mechanical properties, preferable drug loading capability, more prolonged drug release behavior and outstanding antibiotic activity, may offer a promising candidate for biomaterials, such as fibrous drug carrier and antibacterial sutures.