@article {17391,
	title = {Injectable biodegradable starch/chitosan delivery system for the sustained release of gentamicin to treat bone infections},
	journal = {CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS},
	volume = {87},
	year = {2012},
	month = {2012-01-04 00:00:00},
	pages = { 32-39 },
	publisher = {ELSEVIER SCI LTD},
	abstract = {<p><span>Starch-conjugated chitosan microparticles were produced aimed to be used as a carrier for the long term sustained/controlled release of antibiotic drugs to control bone infection. The microparticles were prepared by a reductive alkylation crosslinking method. The obtained microparticles showed a spherical shape, with a slightly rough and porous surface, and a size range of 80-150 mu m. Gentamicin was entrapped into the starch-conjugated chitosan microparticles and its release profile was studied in vitro. Increasing concentrations of gentamicin (from 50 to 150 mg/mL) led to a decrease in the encapsulation efficiency (from 67 to 55\%), while drug loading increased from 4 to 27\%. A sustained release of gentamicin was observed over a period of 30 days. The release kinetics could be controlled using an ionic crosslinker agent. In addition, a bacterial inhibition test on Staphylococcus aureus shows a diameter of the sample inhibition zone ranging from 12 to 17 mm (70-100\% of relative activity). (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</span></p>},
	keywords = {Gentamicin; Microparticles, Staphylococcus aureus, Starch-conjugated chitosan, Sustained release},
	issn = {0144-8617},
	doi = {10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.06.078},
	author = {Balmayor, E. R. and Baran, E. T. and Azevedo, H. S. and Reis, R. L.}
}
