Characteristics of konjac glucomannan and poly(acrylic acid) blend films for controlled drug release

Abstract

AbstractNovel polymer blend films composed of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were prepared by mixing the aqueous solution of both samples at a different weight ratio. Their structure and properties were studied by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐IR), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile strength test, and equilibrium swelling test. The structure analysis indicated that there is a strong interaction between KGM and PAA, which result in a uniform structure and complete miscibility between the components. Potential applications of the polymer composed matrices in controlled drug delivery were also examined. The drug‐loaded KGM/PAA composed matrices were prepared by coated films and directly compressed tablets, respectively. The release mechanism of a model drug, ketoprofen, from two matrices in phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.4) was studied. Release behavior of ketoprofen rely on preparation methods of matrices and the ratio of KGM to PAA in matrices. The result showed that the drug release from the coated films is Fickian diffusion mechanism. However, for tablets, the drug release is a non‐Fickian kinetics process. Various delivery parameters have been calculated and the results are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1561–1570, 2006