Synthesis and Characterization of SA-g-MAA Co-Polymer: Effect of Grafting and Process Variables on Controlled Release of an Anti-Bacterial Drug

Abstract

Methacrylic acid (MAA) was grafted onto sodium alginate (SA) by thermal heating at ambient temperature (70±2OC) using potassium persulphate as an initiator (PPS). SA-g-MAA and pure sodium alginate beads were prepared and were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction techniques (X-Rd). The resultant products (SA-g-MAA) were used to prepare Glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinked beads of various formulations by varying, monomer, cross-linker (GA) and drug content (CFHCl) in the graft co-polymer. Preparation conditions of the beads were optimized by considering the percentage entrapment efficiency, swelling capacity and release profiles. Release profile of CFHCl was discussed at 370C in a gastrointestinal atmosphere (pH -7.4 and acidic medium pH-1.2). It was observed that, CFHCl release from the beads increased with increasing MAA content over the entire studied range. As GA and CFHCl content increases, swelling ratio decreases resulting in decrease in the drug release rate. The highest CFHCl release was obtained to be 99% for the beads containing 40% monomer, 0.5mL GA and 10% CFHCl at pH-7.4. It was also observed that the release profiles have effect on pH and hence the graft co-polymeric beads can be used as pH sensitive drug devices.