Abstract:
In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were obtained from flax fibers by an acid hydrolysis assisted by sonochemistry in order to reduce reaction times. The cavitation inducted during hydrolysis resulted in CNC with uniform shapes, and thus further pretreatments into the cellulose are not required. The obtained CNC exhibited a homogeneous morphology and high crystallinity, as well as typical values for surface charge. Additionally, CNC membranes were developed from CNC solution to evaluation as a drug delivery system by the incorporation of a model drug. The drug delivery studies were carried out using chlorhexidine (CHX) as a drug and the antimicrobial efficiency of the CNC membrane loaded with CHX was examined against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus). The release of CHX from the CNC membranes is determined by UV-Vis. The obtaining methodology of the membranes proved to be simple, and these early studies showed a potential use in antibiotic drug delivery systems due to the release kinetics and the satisfactory antimicrobial activity.
1 Postgraduated Program in Science and Material Engineering, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Gomes Carneiro 1, Pelotas-RS 96010-610, Brazil
2 Chemical & Environmental Engineering Department, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Europa 1, Donostia-San Sebastian 20018, Spain
3 Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Gonçalves Chaves 457, Pelotas-RS 96015-560, Brazil
Correspondence: Tel.: +34-943-017-178
Academic Editor: Tommaso Carofiglio
Received: 30 October 2016 / Accepted: 2 December 2016 / Published: 12 December 2016