Xanthan Matrix as Drug ZDelivery System

Here we present a new drug delivery system based on xanthan esterified with acrylic acid. This material served as a matrix for the incorporation of bioactive substances with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The materials were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Scanning Electron Micrography (SEM). Mechanical strength tests showed a substantial improvement in the resilience and flexibility of the polymer matrix modified by esterification under conditions of mechanical stress. The release of bioactive substances from the basic matrix follows a Korsmeyer-Peppas type kinetics. The modified xanthan-based transport system was shown to be antimicrobial active with an inhibition rate of almost 100% on grampositive and gram-negative bacteria. The obtained results recommend this biomaterial for the manufacture of transdermal drug delivery devices.