Box-Behnken experimental design for preparation and optimization of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride-loaded CaCO3 nanoparticles

The purpose of this study was to prepare and optimize ciprofloxacin hydrochloride loaded-CaCO3 nanoparticles, using a chemical precipitation method and the Box-Behnken experimental design methodology (using Minitab 16). The molar ratio of CaCl2:Na2CO3 (X1), the concentration of drug (X2) and the speed of homogenization (X3) were selected as independent variables while the particle size and entrapment efficiency were considered as dependent variables. Contour plots and surface plots were used for further understanding of the interaction between the different variables. The results indicated that the speed of homogenization was the main contributing variable for particle size; while, in the case of entrapment efficiency, the drug concentration showed the major role. The optimum values for the molar ratio of CaCl2:Na2CO3, the concentration of drug and the speed of homogenization were found to be 1:1 ratio in mole, 2.18 g/dl and 12,000 rpm, respectively, when entrapment efficiency and particle size were predicted as 37.99% and 107.26 nm, respectively. It was concluded that chemical precipitation technique alongside the Box-Behnken experimental design methodology are fast and useful methods for preparation and optimization of drug incorporated calcium carbonate nanoparticles.

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