Molecularly Imprinted Bio-Membranes Based on Cellulose Nano-Fibers for Drug Release and Selective Separations

The present work is a preliminary study for the preparation of molecularly imprinted membranes based on bacterial cellulose nano-fibers combined with a biodegradable natural polymer (e.g. xanthan), in order to obtain systems with high efficiency in controlled drug release and selective separations. The results evidenced a possible viable solution for obtaining biocompatible and biodegradable molecularly imprinted membranes for diosgenin, a molecule with anti-cancerous and anti-cholesterol properties. A composite material with the mass ratios between components of 1:0.5:0.1:0.05 xanthan: bacterial cellulose: citric acid: diosgenin showed interesting properties and will represent the starting point for more complex studies, like adsorption, selectivity, or controlled delivery studies.