Development and characterization of ceftriaxone-loaded P3HB-based microparticles for drug delivery

AbstractIn this study, polymer-based microparticles are used to improve the therapeutic properties of ceftriaxone (CEF) and render them safer. Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate/polyethylene glycol (P3HB-PEG)-based microparticles were prepared by two methods: a double emulsification technique and spray-drying. The microparticles were characterized in terms of size and zeta potential, morphology, total drug loading and drug release. The microparticles had spherical shapes with diameters of a size range from 0.74 to 1.55 µm (emulsification technique) and from 3.84 to 6.51 µm (spray-drying); CEF encapsulation efficiency was around 63% and 49% for these methods respectively. The CEF release from microparticles obtained by spray-drying reached 100% after 150 h, while for microparticles obtained by emulsification technique the total release of CEF did not exceed 34% after 312 h. The release profiles could be best explained by Zero order kinetics model, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, ...