Preparation and Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Crosslinked with Citric Acid and Reinforced with Microcellulose for Controlled Drug Release

Films for controlled drug release are systems that allow the prolonged and sustainable release of the therapeutic principle into the tissue to be treated. This research aims to develop polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films crosslinked with citric acid (CA) and reinforced with microcellulose obtained from mango seeds for controlled drug release applications. The mango seeds used were pretreated (PMS), hydrolyzed (HMS), and chemically bleached (BMS). The films were prepared using each of these seed samples through the solution casting method and were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. For controlled release tests, a model drug (Paracetamol, PC) was used. Additionally, the solubility and swelling characteristics of the films were evaluated. FTIR analyses revealed the effect of crosslinking between PVA and CA in the films, as well as the presence of PC. Furthermore, swelling and solubility tests confirmed that the films undergo physicochemical changes due to the crosslinking process and the type of seed used. SEM images showed that the films possess a homogeneous surface, which is desirable for ensuring controlled drug release. The concentration of the drug released from the film in a phosphate buffer solution was analyzed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, showing that the PVA films reinforced with mango seeds exhibited sustained release. The findings of this research suggest that PVA films crosslinked with CA and reinforced with mango seeds have suitable properties for controlled drug release applications.