Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Blending alginate with hydrophohically enhanced cellulose for drug release studies

  • University of Massachusetts

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Research has shown how useful alginate, a natural polymer found in brown algae, is in drug delivery engineering. However, the addition of various substances that form gel networks with alginate improves the mechanical properties of the gels formed. This study examines how gels from alginate and cellulose behave mechanically to determine which cellulose shows the best improvement for future drug delivery research. Mechanical properties studied include swelling, gelation, and rheological characteristics. Hydrophobically enhanced ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC) with various degrees of polymerization was used in the study. Higher concentrations of cellulose in the mixture yielded more solid-like behavior from the alginate-EHEC gel networks. With the improvement of mechanical durability of drug encapsulation substances, longer lasting drug release can be used to reduce frequency of dosage per medication.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNEBEC 2009 - Proceedings of the IEEE 35th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Print)9781424443628
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
EventIEEE 35th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, NEBEC 2009 - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Apr 3 2009Apr 5 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings of the IEEE Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, NEBEC

Conference

ConferenceIEEE 35th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, NEBEC 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period04/3/0904/5/09

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Blending alginate with hydrophohically enhanced cellulose for drug release studies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this