Microwave-assisted synthesis of carboxymethyl psyllium and its development as semi-interpenetrating network with poly(acrylamide) for gastric delivery

Abstract

In this study, microwave-induced synthesis of carboxymethyl psyllium is reported. The carboxymethyl psyllium was characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis. It also showed fair antibacterial activity against model bacteria Escherichia coli, thus confirming its bioactivity. Its semi-interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels with poly(acrylamide) were synthesized and investigated for their swelling behavior in simulating gastric fluid at 37°C. The swelling ratio strongly depended on the degree of cross-linking and ratio of psyllium to acrylamide in the feed mixture. The kinetic water uptake data were interpreted by various kinetic models, and the order of fitness for these models was as follows: Power model > First-order model ≈ Schott model.