Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health & Well-being (SDG 3)
Sustainable hydrogels from cassava starch for enhanced and controlled drug delivery systems
Dr. Raylee Dunkley, Dr. Ian Thompson * Bureau of Standards Jamaica1, University of the West Indies * E-mail: rayleedunkley@gmail.com
The development of sustainable materials in pharmaceuticals has prompted research into cassava starch-based hydrogels as alternatives for controlled drug release. This study examines the acetylation and fatty acid complexation of cassava starch to enhance its functionality as a biodegradable hydrogel. Acetylation significantly increased the swelling capacity of native cassava starch, with Rockwood starch swelling from 769% to 2070%, thereby improving water retention—critical for effective drug delivery. To achieve prolonged and controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), fatty acid complexation was employed, enhancing freeze-thaw stability and reducing syneresis. A key finding of the research is the hydrogel’s ability to modulate API release based on solubility and molecular size. For smaller, more soluble APIs such as menthol, the hydrogels demonstrated sustained release up to nine times longer than commercial products. This adaptability underscores their potential for tailored drug delivery, essential for long-term health management. Advanced techniques, including FT-IR, XRD, and NMR, confirmed that these chemical modifications enhance the hydrogels’ ability to encapsulate and control API diffusion. This research aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, offering a renewable, biodegradable alternative to synthetic drug delivery systems, improving pharmaceutical efficacy while promoting sustainability and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Key words: Hydrogels, acetylation, SDG 3, drug delivery, cassava starch References 1. Bemiller, J. N. Carbohydrate Chemistry for Food Scientists, 3rd ed.; Elsevier Inc.: Indiana, 2019. 2. Singh, R.; Alam, A.; Kumari, R.; Dubey, V. P.; Tiwari, V.; Tripathi, B. D. Lozenges: A Medicinal Candy. World J Pharm Sci 2018, 7 (8), 1422–1427. https://doi.org/10.20959/wjpps20188-12194. 3. de Oliveira Onofre, F. The Sustained Release Properties of Chemically Modified Starches. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Arkansas, 2009.
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