Drug release assays from new chitosan/pHEMA membranes obtained by gamma irradiation

With the purpose of obtaining a biocompatible and microbiologically safe matrix that simultaneously could be used as wound dressing material and as a controlled drug release system, membranes with different thickness and different contents in chitosan and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) have been prepared by γ irradiation from a 60Co source. Antibiotic release experiments were performed before or after irradiation over amoxicillin loaded chitosan/pHEMA membranes in physiological saline solution, and monitored by UV–Vis spectrometry.Results point out a fast amoxicillin release with similar release profile in all studied membranes. The amount of released drug was shown to be dependent on membranes network crosslinking due composition, radiation and membrane thickness.