Particle size analysis of a silver-based composites for biomedical applications

The polymer structures obtained by inclusion ionic or metallic silver (Ag+, Ag-0) in the composition were studied due to their potential applications in medical or pharmaceutical field, to achieve biocompatible implants with antimicrobial properties, drug delivery systems, filter for drinking water. This paper presents a procedure to acquire an ionized silver-based antimicrobial polymer composition. Carboxymethyl starch synthesized by starch modification with monochloroacetic acid as matrix and silver nitrate and sodium citrate as reducing agent, were used. Due to the presence of silver ions, the composition presents bacteriostatic activity and in association with specific drugs some pharmaceutical compositions can be obtained, useful in the prevention and treatment of infections or diseases. Procaine delivery in buffer solutions pH=7.4 and pH=1.2 at 37 degrees C, was studied. The composition was characterized by FT-IR and UV spectroscopy, optical microscopy, particle size analysis by laser diffraction method and zeta potential measurements.