Amoxicillin embedded in cellulose acetate-poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) fibers prepared by coaxial electrospinning: Preparation and characterization

The optimal conditions for the preparation of a composite material of fibers of cellulose acetate (CA), poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), containing amoxicillin (Amoxi) within the fiber, CA/PVP-Amoxi/CA, were found. The geometrical, physical-chemical and thermal properties of the fibrous membranes containing CA, PVP and amoxicillin were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, SEM and TEM. Also, mechanical characterization of the fibers showed that the tensile strength of the membrane is not affected by the presence of amoxicillin within the fiber as compared with fibers without amoxicillin; however, the rigidity of the membrane decreases by approximately 45%. The effect of the pH on the release rate of amoxicillin was also studied. The amount of amoxicillin release and the k value increased with an increasing pH, from 61% for a pH 3.0 to 79% at pH 7.2, with k values of 0.2120 and 0.2609 respectively. An empirical model for the amoxicillin release was studied; the release of amoxicillin is assumed to obey a diffusion mechanism. These composite materials are recommended for solving the problem of possible loss of drug during the process of entrapment in the matrix with potential local application in biological media to treat dental or skin infections. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.