Fabrication and Characterization of Ceftizoxime-Loaded Pectin Nanocarriers

Abstract

Ceftizoxime (C₁₃H₁₂N₅NaO₅S₂)is a parenteral, third-generationcephalosporin antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections including ear, nose, and throat infections. In this work, pectin has been used as a nanocarrier for ceftizoxime due to its high biocompatibility and non-toxicity with tunable surface properties. Ceftizoxime-loaded pectin nanocarriers (CPN) were successfully synthesized by the solvent displacement method. Optimization of nanoformulation was done by response surface methodology using Design-Expert software. The optimized formulation examined various in-vitro characterizations such as particle size, morphology, and FTIR studies. TEM results revealed irregular shape nanoparticles within the range of 29-110 nm. The in-vitro drug release using the dialysis method was performed after 24h where nanoformulation showed sustained drug release. Drug-loaded nanoparticles revealed good antimicrobial activity against <i>Bacillus cereus, Bacilluspolymyxa, Enterobacteraerogenes</i>, and<i>Pseudomonasaeruginosa</i>.