Antimicrobial activity of novel chitosan/cloisite 10A nanocomposite: Preparation, optimization, characterization and drug delivery behavior

The objectives of the present research project were to formulate, evaluate and perform antimicrobial study and drug delivery behavior of nanocomposite material based on biopolymer chitosan and organically modified montmorillonite clay; i.e. cloisite 10A. In the present study, chitosan / cloisite 10A nanocomposite material was formulated by solution mixing and optimized. The nanocomposite material was characterized by FTIR, zeta sizer, XRD, and SEM. Polymer/clay nanocomposite material is evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against both gram- negative and gram- positive bacteria. It was also studied for potential drug carrier system using diclofenac sodium as a model drug. Drug incorporation efficiency and drug content were also determined. SEM provided the composite shape and its surface topography. XRD data revealed the nanocrystalline composition and crystallite size. The average diameters of particles in the nanocomposite were found to be around 80 nm from both XRD report, calculated by applying Scherrer equation and zeta sizer. The antimicrobial activity report revealed that nanocomposite exhibited stronger inhibition against the microorganisms as compared to that of pure chitosan. From the in vitro drug-release study, it is observed that biopolymer/clay nanocomposite exhibited extended release period of drug as compared to the pristine chitosan. This research work provides a platform for further research on the polymer/clay nanocomposites for biomedical and drug delivery applications.