EVALUATION AND STABILITY STUDY OF RIFAMPICIN LOADED CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES

The present study attempted to evaluate rifampicin loaded chitosan nanoparticles using ascorbic acid as stabilizing agent by ionic gelation method. The prepared nanoparticles were subjected for its physico chemical characterization, in-vitro diffusion and stability studies. FT-IR and DSC show the drug and polymer were compatible with each other and no change was observed in their chemical nature. The morphology showed nano sized particles (202 to 205nm), zeta potential (+42±0.14 to +42±0.34) and poly dispersity index (0.202 to 0.225). The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were 80.7%, 45.65% and 82.56%, 46.38% in formulation 1 and 2 respectively. The stability study indicates freeze temperature is ideal storage condition for nanoparticles for longer period. Among the formulations, formulation with rifampicin co-administered ascorbic acid (F2) was more stable and showed minimized rifampicin degradation. It could be conclusively stated that the prepared nanoparticles are more stable in freeze conditions compared with other storage conditions.