abstract
Natural polysaccharides such as kappa-carrageenan are an important class of biomaterials for drug delivery. The incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles in polysaccharide hydrogels is currently being explored as a strategy to confer to the hydrogels novel functionalities valuable for specific bio-applications. Within this context, kappa-carrageenan magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites have been prepared and the effect of magnetic (Fe(3)O(4)) nanofillers in the swelling of the hydrogels and in the release kinetics and mechanism of a model drug (methylene blue) has been investigated. In vitro release studies demonstrated the applicability of the composites in sustained drug release. The mechanism controlling the release seems to be determined by the strength of the gel network and the extent of gel swelling, both being affected by the incorporation of nanofillers. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the release rate and profile could be tailored using variable Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles load. Thus, this seems to be a promising strategy for the development of drug delivery systems with tailored released behavior. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
keywords
DRUG-RELEASE; CHITOSAN-ALGINATE; SIGMOIDAL RELEASE; DELIVERY-SYSTEMS; MATRIX TABLETS; NANOPARTICLES; BEHAVIOR; GELS; FORMULATIONS; PH
subject category
Chemistry; Polymer Science
authors
Daniel-da-Silva, AL; Moreira, J; Neto, R; Estrada, AC; Gil, AM; Trindade, T
our authors
Ana Cristina Estrada
Junior Researcher
Ana Luísa Daniel da Silva
Principal Researcher
Ana Maria Pissarra Coelho Gil
Associate Professor with Aggregation
Rodrigo de Sousa Trêpa Alves Neto
PhD Student
Tito Trindade
Full professorGroups
G1 - Porous Materials and Nanosystems
G4 - Renewable Materials and Circular Economy
G5 - Biomimetic, Biological and Living Materials
acknowledgements
We thank the RNME (National Electronic Microscopy Network) for SEM images. The authors acknowledge FCT, FSE and POPH for funding.