Ahuja, Sonam: Curcumin /Chitosan/CMC Composite Films for Antimicrobial Applications

A new technique, called vapor induced phase inversion (VIPI), has been employed to fabricate cellulose micro crystals(CMC) ¿loaded chitosan(Ch) films and curcumin loaded Chitosan/cellulose micro crystals (CMC) composite films. The method involves immediate exposure of CMC-dispersed chitosan solution to ammonia gas. The swelling ratio (SR) of films showed negative dependence on the cellulose content in the films. The dynamic water uptake data were interpreted by various kinetic models. The CMC-loaded chitosan film showed slower release as compared to the plain chitosan film, suggesting that cellulose micro crystals acted as diffusion barrier. The films were non cytotoxic, non thrombogenic and non-hemolytic. The Curcumin loaded films were investigated for their equilibrium moisture absorption behavior. The data obtained was interpreted by GAB isotherm model. The dynamic release of curcumin from the films was studied under physiological conditions and kinetic data was best interpreted by Higuchi model. The films showed fair antimicrobial action against bacteria and fungi.