In vitro biodegradation of poly(β-hydroxybutyratehydroxyvalerate) microspheres exposed to Hanks' buffer, newborn calf serum, pancreatin and synthetic gastric juice

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Abstract
Spherical BSA loaded microporous matrix type microspheres composed of P(HB-HV) blended with 20% PCL II and fabricated using 0/w emulsification with solvent evaporation have been incubated in Hanks' buffer, pH 7.4; newborn calf serum; 1.5% pancreatin and synthetic gastric juice over 30 days and their percentage weight loss (PWL) and changes in ultrastructural morphology monitored by gravimetry and SEM respectively. The greatest percentage weight loss was observed after incubation in newborn calf serum and decreased in the order newborn calf serum > pancreatin > synthetic gastric juice > Hanks' buffer. Only incubation in synthetic gastric juice and Hanks' buffer produced a significant increase in PWL with increasing theoretical percentage loading. Incubation in Hanks' buffer produced limited surface erosion leading to an increase in micropore diameter and the coalescence of micropores to form surface pits. With pancreatin, surface erosion led to the disappearance of surface micropores and a reduction in mic...