Synthesis and Characterization of PVA/CMC Cryogels as Ciprofloxacin Carries

In this thesis, three different types of cryogel systems were prepared by using varying molecular weight of Polyvinly alcohol (PVA), although the molecular weights of PVA were altered, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and ciprofloxacin were remained constant. It was found that due to the high degree of segmental mobility, low molecular weight of PVA was more prone to form PVA – CMC cryogels due to high ability to form hydrogen bondings with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Swelling results show that low molecular weight PVA had the faster swelling rate and this can explain the fast release of ciprofloxacin within 30 minutes from PVA – CMC cryogels during release studies. Calibration curve was constructed by measuring the absorbance values of serial dilutions of ciprofloxacin solutions by using 100 ppm ciprofloxacin stock solution. Release of ciprofloxacin from PVA-CMC cryogel system was best fit to first order release model with R 2 0,9922. It was found that release exponent is lower than 0,45 and it is a good indication of quasi fickian diffusion, which means that ciprofloxacin can release from cryogel system even without requiring swelling by diffusion. iv Antimicrobial activity results show that low molecular weight PVA containing PVA – CMC cryogels has 47 mm inhibiton zone when they were freshly used and they have 43 mm inhibition zone by using dried form. Keywords: Polyvinly alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), ciprofloxacin, cryogel.