ABSTRACT
The objective of the present investigation is to develop and evaluate polyethylene-starch based carriers for sustaining the release of bioactive materials. Polyethylene-starch carriers were prepared by incorporating various amounts of corn starch 0, 40, 80, and 100% in polyethylene beads with and without dye. Acid orange dye was incorporated (1%) to study release patterns and the effect of starch (%) on release. The granulated mixtures were extruded to form uniform dispersions of starch and polyethylene throughout the ex-trudate. The extrudates obtained were studied for SEM surface characterization before, during, and after release studies to study the erosion process. In the case of 100% starch, 80% of the matrix was eroded in 5 weeks, while with 40% and 80% starch, erosion was less than 20%. The dye release studies showed that release could be sustained well over 12 weeks, depending on the starch (%) incorporated. The erosion process was studied using scanning electron microscopic techniques, which showed gradual erosion of starch particles, leaving a polyethylene skeleton. These materials show promising potential for use as carriers for bioactive materials.
