Encapsulation of Lysozyme into halloysite nanotubes and dispersion in PLA: Structural and physical properties and controlled release analysis

Novel biodegradable composites were prepared using PLA and a nano-hybrid composed of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) filled with Lysozyme, as antimicrobial. The nano-hybrid was characterized from a structural point of view and the Lysozyme content evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Several composites were prepared using ball milling, in dry conditions at ambient temperature, varying the nano-hybrid loading (i.e. 3, 5, 10 wt%). The structural organization and physical properties (thermal, mechanical and barrier to water vapor) ware analyzed and correlated to the nano-hybrid content. Controlled Lysozyme release into saline solution was followed using UV spectrophotometry. The release kinetics was found to be dependent on HNTs-Lysozyme relative fractions. The experimental results were analyzed by a modified Gallagher-Corrigan model.