Preparation and Characterization of Polymeric Microbeads Incorporated with Reduced Graphene Oxide for Drug Delivery and Antibacterial Applications

Abstract

Creating polymeric microbeads that can respond to stimuli and deliver drugs has various practical uses in the pharmaceutical industry. To address this need, we have developed a new type of pH-sensitive polymeric microbeads that can be used as carriers for drug delivery applications. The gelation method was used to create microbeads incorporated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for the controlled release of metronidazole using sodium alginate and locust bean gum. The synthesized rGO and microbeads were analyzed by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. In vitro release and swelling studies were performed at pH 7.4 and 2.0 at 37°C. The release kinetics and mechanism are analyzed by fitting the release data into various kinetics models. The antibacterial activity of the generated microbeads was tested against B. subtilis, L. acidophilus, and S. mutans. The results suggest that the developed microbeads may serve as effective carriers for antibacterial treatment.