Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Nanoscience
Session: 2
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Sabrina Pierre - Howard University
Co-Author(s): Kimberly Fenin, Howard University, Washington, DC; Salam Titinchi, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, SA; Chimaine Feudijo, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, SA
The development of efficient and cost-effective drug delivery remains highly prioritized in the world of research. Amoxicillin (C16H19N3O5S) is an antibiotic most commonly used for bacterial infections such as chest/lung infections, oral infections, Urinary Tract Infections, etc. It is a water-soluble compound at 3.43 g/L, with a molecular weight of 365.404 g/mol. As it relates, the use of polymers remains instrumental in advancing controlled release. In this paper, we explain the influence of polyethylenimine (PEI), a colloidal polymer, for even coating of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) synthesized from Iron (III) Oxide (Fe3O4). PEI remains advantageous in its high biocompatibility, large bio distribution, and specific targeting. MNPs have earned a primary and groundbreaking role in controlled and targeted drug delivery due to their small size and large surface area, in addition to having the ability to be controlled and manipulated by a magnetic field. PEI-coated MNPs were then functionalized with Amoxicillin, verified through FTIR spectroscopy. UV-Vis Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, as well as Transmission Electron Microscopy altogether aided in explaining results of a slower, more steady release of amoxicillin. The calibration curve obtained from the following dilution showed an R^2 value of 0.95 a successful lengthened drug delivery system. Future questions: – How can these findings be applied to future research using other safe colloidal polymers? – How well can polyethylenemine bind to other common pharmaceutical drugs with similar chemical properties?
Funder Acknowledgement(s): University of the Western Cape Department of Chemistry; Salam Titinchi, Chimaine Feudijo, Howard University
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Salam Titinchi, stitinchi@uwc.ac.za
Role: I worked on each portion of all experiments that will be presented.