Molecularly Imprinted Bio‐Membranes Based on Cellulose Nano‐Fibers for Drug Release and Selective Separations

Abstract

Summary The present work is a preliminary study for the preparation of molecularly imprinted membranes based on bacterial cellulose nano‐fibers combined with a biodegradable natural polymer (e.g. xanthan), in order to obtain systems with high efficiency in controlled drug release and selective separations. The results evidenced a possible viable solution for obtaining biocompatible and biodegradable molecularly imprinted membranes for diosgenin, a molecule with anti‐cancerous and anti‐cholesterol properties. A composite material with the mass ratios between components of 1:0.5:0.1:0.05 xanthan: bacterial cellulose:citric acid:diosgenin showed interesting properties and will represent the starting point for more complex studies, like adsorption, selectivity, or controlled delivery studies.

Green Chemistry and Molecularly Imprinted Membranes

“…For example, the phase inversion technique is useful for preparing MIMs with safe co-polymers such as poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) and natural polymers such as chitosan, sodium alginate, cellulose, β-cyclodextrin-based, etc. In particular, natural polymers (and their derivatives) have emerged as high promising materials that form membranes owing to their low cost, eco-friendly features as well as the abundance of active chemical functions (i.e., amino, carboxyl and hydroxyl, groups) with affinity toward many compounds and establishing with them multiple interactions [ 249 , 250 , 251 , 252 ]. An important aspect of the employment of these materials is the possibility of avoiding in some cases the polymerization process, while leading the formation of a “polymer–template complex”.…”

“…An important aspect of the employment of these materials is the possibility of avoiding in some cases the polymerization process, while leading the formation of a “polymer–template complex”. This is due to the interactions between the functional groups of the template and the complementary chemical moieties of the polymeric material that form the membrane [ 250 , 251 , 253 , 254 ]. This structure is stabilized with the aid of a cross-linker both during or after membrane formation.…”

“…Owing to the biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity of natural polymers, MIMs prepared with them are suitable for application in the medical, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields as well as in water treatment. For example, bacterial cellulose was used for producing both diosgenin-imprinted membranes [ 250 ] and quercetin-imprinted [ 251 ] membranes, which exhibited a sustained selective release of the template molecules. Recognition sites were created directly into the polymer matrix during the membrane formation step via the phase inversion technique.…”

Molecularly Imprinted Membranes: Past, Present, and Future

“…The nanoparticles used to produce hybrid MIMs are extremely diverse, aiming to cover various specific applications. The most frequently encountered nanoparticles in the design of hybrid MIMs are MIP nanoparticles, − carbon nanotubes, ,, silica nanoparticles, − magnetic nanoparticles, ,− bacterial cellulose nanofibers, − TiO 2 nanoparticles, − and metallic nanoparticles. − …”

Effects of Density, Cellulose Nanofibrils Addition Ratio, Pressing Method, and Particle Size on the Bending Properties of Wet-formed Particleboard

“…Mechanically derived CNF is made by repeated refining and a large pressure drop with shearing and impact forces (Nakagaito and Yano 2004). The CNF can be used in drug release and energy storage applications, due to its nanostructure (Dima et al 2016;Pan et al 2016). It can also be mixed with other materials and made into composites, due to its strong mechanical properties and web-like network that can improve the interfacial adhesion (Shao et al 2015;Barari et al 2016a;Barari et al 2016b).…”