The effect of variation in the amount of Hemicellulose from Corn Cobs (Zea mays L) and pH on Metronidazole Microparticle Release

The present study was conducted to investigate the percentage of metronidazole microparticle release in an acidic environment at pH 1.2 and an alkaline environment at pH 7.4 and pH 8 in which the highest release occurred and to investigate the microparticle release kinetics. Method: The research method used was an experimental method by making metronidazole microparticles with variations in the amount of hemicellulose from corn cobs which were combined with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and propylene glycol (PG). The mixture was then put into capsules made from a combination of hemicellulose and sodium alginate (3:1). Results: Formula IV provided the smallest percentage of release in the gastric medium at pH 1.2 which was in the 240th minute with 1.80 ± 0.06 percent, followed with the formula IV in the intestinal medium at pH 7.4 in the 600th minute with (3.14 ± 0.13) percent. The largest release in formula IV was found in the colon medium at pH 8 which was in the 600th minute (66.21 ± 0.82) percent. The metronidazole microparticle formula using 200 mg of hemicellulose was not significantly different from using 250 mg of hemicellulose. The metronidazole microparticle release kinetics were formulated using 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg of hemicellulose, all of which followed the zero order, first order, and the Higuchi order release kinetics. Conclusion: The release kinetics of metronidazole available on the market showed greater results than the metronidazole microparticles release which was formulated with variations in the amount of hemicellulose in various mediums.