Sustained release of antimicrobial drugs from polyvinylalcohol and gum arabica blend matrix

Synthetic polymers are widely used in biomedical applications. Polymer blends have recently paved their way in this field. An attempt to prepare blend of synthetic polymer polyvinylalcohol and natural macromolecule-gum arabica is made in this paper. Characterization of these blends by NMR, DSC and viscoelastic studies reveal preparation of a blend composition with synergistic properties. The blend composition with synergistic properties was used to release various antimicrobial drugs. The duration and release of the drug depends on the amount of drug loaded in the matrix and solubility of the drug in the matrix and release medium. The advantage of this system is that the release kinetics of the drug from the system can be tailored by adjusting plasticizer, homopolymer and crosslinker composition depending on the drug to be released.