Hydroxyapatite: collagen (HA:col) composites were prepared in different proportions in order to obtain the best one to incorporate ciprofloxacin. Collagen with alkaline treatment (24 and 48h) was used. The best HA:col proportion was found to be 10: 1 (w/w) wich was used for ciprofloxacin incorporation and release studies. Release experiments in vitro were made in saline phosphate buffers (PBS), pH 7.4, at 37°C, showing a maximum release approximately 90% for HA:col 24h and 75% for HA:col 48h, after 10 hours of immersion. The ciprofloxacin delivery in the composites is controlled by matrix porous since it follows Higuchi's model. Results indicate that different times of alkaline treatment of collagen affect the antibiotic delivery rate. A different quantity of charges in collagens within 24h and 48h would induce a different interaction between the composite and the antibiotic.
Hydroxyapatite; collagen; controlled delivery; ciprofloxacin
