Modification of Pineapple Fiber and Application in Drug Delivery

This research explored the chemical modification of cellulose fiber from pineapple waste to develop a drug delivery system. Pineapple fiber was oxidized using sodium metaperiodate to create dialdehyde soluble cellulose, which could dissolve in water and form a Schiff base with minoxidil. The resulting minoxidil-grafted cellulose nanoparticles had hydrodynamic diameters of 110 to 300 nm, with an encapsulation efficiency of over 88% and a loading capacity of 85%. The system demonstrated prolonged drug release in an acetate buffer solution at pH 5.5 and 37°C. The study suggested potential future applications for treating androgenic alopecia.