An Insight on the Swelling, Viscoelastic, Electrical, and Drug Release Properties of Gelatin–Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrogels

ABSTRACT

The present study reports the in-depth analysis of the gelatin–carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels. The composite system formed phase-separated hydrogels, which is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The swelling of the carboxymethyl chitosan-containing hydrogels was lower than the gelatin hydrogel. Macroscale deformation study using a static mechanical tester indicated a viscoelastic nature of the hydrogels. A decrease in the impedance of the hydrogels was observed with an increase in the carboxymethyl chitosan content. The drug release from the hydrogels was predominantly Fickian diffusion mediated and was released in its active form. The results suggested the potential use of the hydrogels as drug delivery matrices.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Carboxymethyl chitosan
• gelatin
• Peleg’s sorption model
• Peppas–Sahlin model
• Weichert model

Acknowledgments

The logistic and instrumental facilities provided by National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NIT-R), India are hereby acknowledged.

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge the funds leveraged from the project (SR/FT/LS-171/2009), sanctioned by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Govt. of India.