Starch nanocrystals based hydrogel: Construction, characterizations and transdermal application

Bio-based nanocomposites were prepared using starch nanocrystals obtained by acid hydrolysis of native starches using different acid sources. In recent times, focuses on starch nanocrystals (SNCs) have been increasing in number of research works dedicated to the development of bio-nanocomposites by blending with different biopolymeric matrices. The work mainly deals with the preparation of starch nanocrystals using different native starches by acid hydrolysis using hydrochloric acid and trifluroacetic acid. The as-prepared starch nanocrystals are having high crystallinity and more platelet morphologies, and used as a drug carrying filler material in the hydrogel formulations with the care of different polymer matrices. The condensed work also concentrates on the dispersion of antiviral drug in the hydrogels, which are applied onto biocompatible bio-membrane to be formulating a complete transdermal patch. The acid hydrolysed starch nanocrystals were thoroughly characterized using TEM, SEM, particle size analysis and zeta potential. Their thermal stability and the crystalline properties were also characterized using TG-DSC and XRD respectively. The physiochemical interaction and compatibility between the drug and the SNCs filler in the polymeric hydrogels were evaluated using FT-IR analysis. The formulated hydrogels were subjected to evaluation of in vitro permeation studies using Franz diffusion studies. The in vitro study was indicated substantial guarantee for the fabrication of drug dispersed in polymeric hydrogels using SNCs as filler matrices for a successful transdermal drug delivery. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.