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Virginia Tech

Chitosan-Cellulose Nanocrystal Polyelectrolyte Complex Particles: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Drug Release Properties

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) between chitosan, a mucoadhesive, intestinal mucosal permeability-enhancing polysaccharide, and cellulose nanocrystals, rod-like cellulose nanoparticles with sulfate groups on their surface, have potential applications in oral drug delivery. The purpose of this research was to develop an understanding of the formation and properties of chitosan–cellulose nanocrystal PECs and determine their in vitro drug release properties, using caffeine and ibuprofen as model drugs. Cellulose nanocrystals were prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis of bleached wood pulp. Chitosans with three different molecular weights (81, 3·103, 6·103 kDa) and four different degrees of deacetylation (77, 80, 85, 89%) were used. PEC formation was studied by turbidimetric titration. PEC particles were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and laser Doppler electrophoresis. The formation and properties of chitosan–cellulose nanocrystal PEC particles were governed by the strong mismatch in the densities of the ionizable groups. The particles were composed primarily of cellulose nanocrystals. Particle shape and size strongly depended on the mixing ratio and pH of the surrounding medium. The ionic strength of the surrounding medium, and the molecular weight and degree of deacetylation of chitosan had a minor effect. Release of caffeine from the chitosan–cellulose nanocrystal PEC particles was rapid and uncontrolled. Ibuprofen-loaded PEC particles showed no release in simulated gastric fluid and rapid release in simulated intestinal fluid. Further evaluation studies should focus on the expected mucoadhesive and permeability-enhancing properties of chitosan–cellulose nanocrystal PEC particles.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Wood Science and Forest Products
Department dc:contributor.department
Wood Science and Forest Products
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2009

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Wang, Hezhong
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Roman, Maren
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Duncan, Susan E.
  • O'Keefe, Sean F.
  • Renneckar, Scott H.
  • Davis, Richey M.

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-11192009-135706
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/40353

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Wang, Hezhong. Chitosan-Cellulose Nanocrystal Polyelectrolyte Complex Particles: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Drug Release Properties. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40353