Encapsulation of Lysozyme into halloysite nanotubes and dispersion in PLA: Structural and physical properties and controlled release analysis. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bugatti, Valeria; Sorrentino, Andrea; Gorrasi, Giuliana
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 93(2017)
• Page Start: 495
• Page End: 506
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: PLA -- Lysozyme -- Halloysite -- Ball milling -- Controlled release; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.06.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Antimicrobial Lysozyme molecules were encapsulated into halloysite nanotubes. Composites with PLA were prepared using ball milling technology. Structural and physical properties of nano-hybrid and composites were analyzed. The release kinetics of the Lysozyme were analyzed and modeled. Abstract: Novel biodegradable composites were prepared using PLA and a nano-hybrid composed of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) filled with Lysozyme, as antimicrobial. The nano-hybrid was characterized from a structural point of view and the Lysozyme content evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Several composites were prepared using ball milling, in dry conditions at ambient temperature, varying the nano-hybrid loading (i.e. 3, 5, 10 wt%). The structural organization and physical properties (thermal, mechanical and barrier to water vapor) ware analyzed and correlated to the nano-hybrid content. Controlled Lysozyme release into saline solution was followed using UV spectrophotometry. The release kinetics was found to be dependent on HNTs-Lysozyme relative fractions. The experimental results were analyzed by a modified Gallagher-Corrigan model.