PhD Scientific Days 2021

PH_II_P: Pharmaceutical Sciences II. Posters

Formulation and evaluation of a polymer-based chlorine dioxide releasing system

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Biocides play an essential role in clinical practice and community health by preventing the spread of pathogens in the environment. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2), a gaseous anti-infective agent, kills bacteria and viruses by oxidizing sulphur containing amino acids, resulting in dysfunctional enzymes and damaged proteins. Due to the cumbersome transportation of the gas, chlorine dioxide is mostly used as an aqueous solution, where the active ingredient itself is produced at the site of action in a chemical reaction. The most common method of chlorine dioxide production is the chemical reaction between sodium chlorite (NaClO2) and acid in aqueous media. Because of the high volatility and the substantial penetrating ability of the dissolved gas, chlorine dioxide is a suitable tool against impervious and resistant infections, such as biofilms.
Aims: Our aim was to create a nanofiber-based polymer system functioning as a source of gaseous ClO2. A polymer macromolecule with suitable spinnability and insusceptibility to oxidation was selected. The morphological properties and the sodium chlorite loading capacity of the nanofibers along with the ClO2 release from the system was measured.
Method: The susceptibility to oxidation of various polymer macromolecules were tested via FTIR. The possible changes of the sodium chlorite concentration in the polymer solution was detected using UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Nanofibers containing sodium chlorite were formulated via electrospinning. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the fibrous mesh. The sodium chlorite loading capacity of the fibers was investigated via FTIR. Chlorine dioxide production under acidic conditions was measured with spectrophotometer.
Results: Polyethylene oxide was resistant to oxidation and showed suitable spinnability in the presence of sodium chlorite. The starting concentration of sodium chlorite did not change significantly in the polymer solution and NaClO2 was also detected in the fibers. SEM images showed randomly oriented fibrous structure with similar fiber diameters. Chlorine dioxide was produced from the fibers under acidic conditions.
Conclusion: Sodium chlorite can be incorporated into nanofibers, thus a chlorine dioxide releasing polymer system can be formulated via electrospinning.
Funding: Új Nemzeti Kiválóság Program

University and Doctoral School

Semmelweis University, Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences