Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
05:26
Fabrication of Size-Controlled and Emulsion-Free Chitosan-Genipin Microgels for Tissue Engineering Applications
Published on: April 13, 2022
3.8K
Supramolecular polyelectrolyte complexes based on cyclodextrin-grafted chitosan and carrageenan for controlled drug
Thamasia F S Evangelista1, George R S Andrade2, Keyte N S Nascimento1
1Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|July 29, 2020
Summary
New polymer complexes made from chitosan and carrageenan show potential for controlled drug release. These supramolecular polyelectrolyte complexes (SPEC) also exhibit antibacterial activity against common pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Controlled drug delivery systems are crucial for improving therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.
- Supramolecular polyelectrolyte complexes (SPEC) offer tunable properties for advanced material applications.
- Chitosan and carrageenan are biocompatible polysaccharides with potential in biomedical fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize novel supramolecular polyelectrolyte complexes (SPEC) using a cyclodextrin-grafted chitosan derivative and carrageenan.
- To evaluate the potential of these SPEC for controlled drug release applications.
- To investigate the antibacterial activity of the developed SPEC.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of SPEC via polyelectrolyte complexation.
- Characterization using FTIR, SEM, ζ-potential, phenolphthalein test, DRS, and TEM.
- Drug association studies using FTIR and computational molecular modeling.
- In vitro antibacterial assays against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Main Results:
- Successful formation of βCD-chitosan/carrageenan SPEC confirmed by characterization techniques.
- Evidence of available inclusion sites for drug loading.
- Reduction of silver ions to metallic silver nanostructures observed.
- Significant in vitro antibacterial activity demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus durans/hirae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized βCD-chitosan/carrageenan SPEC are effective for controlled drug release.
- The complexes exhibit promising antibacterial properties.
- These polymer-based systems hold significant potential for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
