Date Approved

8-5-2021

Embargo Period

8-6-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

College

College of Science & Mathematics

Advisor

Xiao Hu, PhD

Committee Member 1

Ping Lu, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Kandalam Ramanujachary, Ph.D.

Committee Member 3

Sebastián Vega, Ph.D.

Committee Member 4

Samuel Lofland, Ph.D.

Keywords

biomaterials, corn zein, drug delivery, nanofibers, silk, thin films

Subject(s)

Drug delivery systems

Disciplines

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract

Corn zein and silk are both widely available, easy to extract proteins making them valuable replacements for synthetics. Zein and silk are also promising biomaterials in several applications. This work explores the use of both proteins as drug delivery vehicles by loading 1-Dimensional micro-nanofibers and 2-Dimensional thin films with model drugs or the topical therapeutic sodium citrate. Using a formic acid solvent, powdered zein protein or silk fibers were dissolved into solution and then casted into 2D films or spun into 1D fibers through air-spraying. During dissolution, therapeutic products are added. SEM images showed that fibers maintain their small diameter and porous network at lower amounts of therapeutics. Structural characterization showed that therapeutics could interact and influence secondary protein structure in porous fibers, but not flat films. This interaction improves the thermal integrity of most samples and allowed for greater control of the release of therapeutics from the biomaterial. In summary, the geometry of the biomaterials played an important role in allowing biophysical and biochemical interactions between the therapeutics and the protein structure of the biomaterials. By understanding these interactions, there is more control over material properties and release kinetics. Meanwhile, the fabrication process showed no hindrance on the biocompatibility of the biomaterials in a human cell line.

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