Chitosan diacetate (CDA) was prepared by alkylating the amino moieties of chitosan with mono-iodoacetic acid. Subsequently, CDA was cross-linked with Al3+, Zn2+, and Ca2+ ions to yield three ionotropically crosslinked polymeric matrices. These composite matrices were characterized employing infrared spectroscopy (IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Subsequently, they were loaded with caffeine, as a model drug, and were assessed as sustained release carriers by evaluating their caffeine release profiles. Interestingly, only CDA-Zn2+ complex sustained the release of caffeine effectively in a zero-order manner. The drug release and thermal behavior of the tested matrices agree with the relative strength of the ionic or coordination character of the bonds. This, in turn, depends on the position of the complexing ions on the electrophilic softness/hardness scale.
(c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.