New Polysaccharide-based Microparticles Crosslinked with Siloxane: Interactions with Biologically Active Substances

Abstract : The interaction of microparticles of carboxymethyl pullulan crosslinked with siloxane (provided by a new crosslinking agent: 3-(glycid oxypropyl) trimethoxysilane) with biologically active molecules, such as enzymes (lysozyme) and drugs (propranolol, quinidine) was studied. The anionic amphiphilic supports retained through electrostatic and/or hydrophobic forces, variable amounts of the substances as a function of their structure, such as crosslinking degree and amount of uncrosslinked alkylsilane chains. The absorption of lysozyme on the supports followed the Langmuir isotherm, which allowed the calculation of constants k1 and k2. Both retention and in vitro release behavior of these support potential applications in controlled drug release as well as immobilization and purification of enzymes.