Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Gelatin Films with Na2SO4 Cross-Linked for Controlled-Release of Nitrofurantoin
This work prepared and characterized of chitosan (Cs)-gelatin (Gel) films for the controlled release of the nitrofurantoin (NF) antibacterial drug. The side effects of NF are nausea and emesis due to its high absorption rate immediately after oral administration. The use of Cs-Gel films enables economic production of the drug carrier system. Cs-Gel films were prepared by mixing Cs with Gel at different ratios and were cross-linked with Na2SO4 with different concentrations. NF was loaded into the films by soaking of drug solution. Films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and evaluated for thickness, water absorption capacity, swelling behaviour and invitro NF drug release in phosphate buffer solution pH 5.8 and pH 7.4. The results indicated that additional amount of gelatin and sulfate ion cross-linked to the films increased the swelling, water absorption ability and also improved NF release.