Synthesis and Characterization of Crosslinked Hydrogel of Konkoli (Maesopsis eminii) Grafted Polymethylacrylamide for a Preliminary Study as an Insulin Delivery System

摘要

Polysaccharide has lately received a significant attention in the formulation of drug delivery system based on the abundant availability, non-toxicity and the various ways its nature, structure and functionality can be modified. In this preliminary work on Konkoli (Maesopsis eminii) galactomannan (KG), it was modified by grafting with methacrylamide (MAAm) using ammonium persulphate (ASP) as initiator. The grafted galactomannan was then crosslinked using N, N-methylenebisacrylamide (N, N-MBAAm) to produce the hydrogel called konkoli grafted polymethylacrylamide (KG-g-poly (MAAm)). FTIR analyses confirm crosslinking and other changes in the functionality of KG-g-poly (MAAm) compared to KG. Swelling properties which are fundamental to the potential properties of any hydrogel as a drug delivery system were studied for KG-g-poly (MAAm) with varied amount of monomer (MAAm), crosslinker and pH with respect to time and temperature. There was a rapid rise followed by a dramatic fall in the swelling capacity with increase in both monomer and crosslinker concentration. The swelling capacity of KG-g-poly (MAAm) also improves as the pH of the medium was changed from acidic to alkaline. Generally, the swelling capacity of KG-g-poly (MAAm) increases with time and temperature of immersion. This result therefore encourages further studies as it presents KG-g-poly (MAAm) potentials in such application as insulin delivery system.