Synthesis and characterization of pectin/PVP hydrogel membranes for drug delivery system.

The purpose of the present study was to develop and design pectin and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) blended hydrogel membranes (PEVP), with different pectin: PVP ratios (1:0.2, 1:0.4, 1:0.6, 1:0.8 and 1:1 w/w), which were prepared by using a conventional solution casting technique. An attempt has been made to characterize the hydrogel membranes by various instrumental techniques like, FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile strength test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The release patterns of the drug (salicylic acid) from the hydrogel membrane were done in three different release mediums (pH 1.4, pH 7.4 and distilled water) and samples were analyzed spectrophotometrically at 294 nm wavelength on a UV Vis spectrophotometer. MTT assay was done to ensure cytocompatibility of the pectin/PVP hydrogel membranes using B16 melanoma cells. FTIR spectroscopy indicated the presence of secondary amide (I) absorption bands. The XRD study shows decrease in crystallinity of the hydrogel membranes with increase in PVP ratio. DSC study shows an increase in T(g) of pectin after blending with PVP. It was found that tensile strength increases with increasing PVP ratios in the hydrogel membranes. The prepared hydrogel membranes were found to be biocompatible with B16 melanoma cells.