Synthesis and application of the calcium alginate/SWCNT-Gl as a bio-nanocomposite for the curcumin delivery

This study focused on preparation of calcium alginate/single-walled carbon nanotube modified by glucose (CA/SWCNT-Gl) and its application as a carrier for the drug delivery system. This bionanocomposite was synthesized by using ultrasonication as a green method. Several quantitative ratios of the SWCNTs-Gl and the alginate were applied to the assessment of formulation for the curcumin entrapment. It was optimized by employing at 1:1 the SWCNTs-Gl to calcium alginate ratio. The structure of calcium alginate/SWCNTs-Gl was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM, DLS and TGA techniques. The nanocomposite as a carrier was examined for measurement of entrapment efficiency, loading capacity and release study for curcumin as a hydrophobic drug. The release of curcumin from carrier-curcumin have been measured in the pH 4.5 and pH 7.5 which revealed a fast release during the first hours followed by a gradual drug release. The outcomes indicated that the nanocomposite had great potential as a carrier and enabled for drug delivery systems. Further, the carrier displayed good antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. Likewise, better antibacterial activity of carrier-curcumin was observed in comparison with curcumin ones.