Suitability of gamma irradiated chitosan based membranes as matrix in drug release system.

To test the possibility of obtain a material simultaneously biocompatible and microbiologically safe to be used as wound dressing material and as a matrix for drug release system, membranes with different initial contents in chitosan and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) have been prepared by gamma irradiation from a (60)Co source. The antimicrobial activity of obtained membranes against several reference strains was evaluated after inoculation. Sub-lethal gamma radiation doses were also applied in artificially contaminated membranes and the D(values) of microorganisms in use were determined in order to predict which radiation dose could guarantee membranes microbiological safety. In vitro haemolysis tests were also performed using drug loaded membranes irradiated at different doses. Results point out that those membranes naturally exhibit antimicrobial properties. Also show that, over the studied range values, drug loaded irradiated membranes display a non-significant level of haemolysis. These features show that the application of prepared membranes as a transdermal drug release system "ready to use" is viable.