Pectin-carbonate hydroxyapatite composite films as a potential drug delivery system for cinnamaldehyde: Characterization and release kinetics modeling

Pectin-based films incorporating carbonate hydroxyapatite (CHA) as a cinnamaldehyde carrier present a novel approach to oral drug delivery, addressing the limitations of pectin's hydrophilicity while leveraging CHA's porosity and adsorption capabilities to enhance controlled release properties. This study investigated CHA incorporation at various concentrations (0 , 1 , 3 , 5 , 7 w/w). CHA addition increased film thickness (0.054–0.079 mm) and tensile strength (0.0081–0.0153 MPa), while reducing elongation (11.833 –7.20 ) and swelling (231 –192 ). FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed successful drug incorporation and structural modifications. Drug release kinetics demonstrated slower release profiles and lower diffusivity coefficients (De: 1.107 × 10−6 to 5.15 × 10−7 cm2/s) in pectin-CHA films, thus underscoring CHA's potential for enhancing controlled drug delivery. Cost analysis estimates promising financial viability, with a total production cost of 12,967 IDR/L yielding a profit of 17,525 IDR/L and a net profit of 4558 IDR/L, indicating strong potential for scale-up. This innovative approach not only addresses the challenges of sustainable and efficient oral drug delivery systems but also offers potential in structurally superior delivery system with targeted and sustained drug release capabilities. © 2024 The Authors