Controlled release of amoxicillin from bacterial cellulose membranes

Bacterial cellulose (BC), a natural polymer with unique physical and mechanical properties, has several applications in the biomedical field, including drug loading and controlled drug delivery. For this study, a Box-Behnken experimental design was employed as a statistical tool to optimize the release of a model drug, amoxicillin, from BC membranes. Independent variables studied were the concentration of the drug (X-1), the concentration of glycerol (X-2) and the concentration of a permeation enhancer (X-3). From the variables studied, drug concentration had the highest effect on drug release. Among the other independent variables, th linear and quadratic X-2 terms, the linear X-3 term and the interaction term X2X3 were found to affect the release of amoxicillin from bacterial cellulose membranes.