Evaluation of mucoadhesive properties of α,β-poly(N-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide and α,β-poly(aspartylhydrazide) using ATR–FTIR spectroscopy

The mucoadhesive properties of α,β poly(N-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β-polyaspartylhydrazide (PAHy) have been investigated using attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy. In particular, films based on these polymers have been contacted with a mucin solution at pH 7 and, the interfacial interaction and interpenetration between the glycoprotein and PHEA or PAHy have been studied by analysing the ATR–FTIR spectra. A diffusion model using a solution of Ficksʹ second law has been employed to determine the diffusion coefficient of water into polymeric films as a consequence of interdiffusion which occurs at the polymer film/mucin solution interface.