ZETA-SIZE DEPENDENT AND IN-VITRO DISSOLUTION PERFORMANCE OF AMOXICILLIN AND METRONIDAZOLE LOADED FRUIT-BASED NANOPARTICLES

Ucheokoro Adaeze S.*, Abali Sunday O.

Background: The therapeutic performance of antimicrobial agents such as metronidazole and amoxicillin is often limited by suboptimal dissolution and bioavailability. Green nanotechnology offers a sustainable strategy to enhance drug delivery through size-controlled nanoparticle systems.
Objective: This study evaluated the zeta–size dependent performance and in-vitro dissolution behaviour of metronidazole and amoxicillin loaded fruit-based nanoparticles synthesized using Carica papaya and Musa acuminata extracts.
Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared via green synthesis using silver nitrate as a precursor. Particle size was determined using a Zetasizer, while in-vitro dissolution studies were conducted using a USP rotating paddle apparatus in 0.1N HCl at 37 ± 1°C. Drug quantification was performed spectrophotometrically, and results were compared with innovator (IB) and generic (GB) commercial brands. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.
Results: The nanoparticles exhibited sizes within the nanometric range (33.93–69.42 nm for amoxicillin and 52.72–93.87 nm for metronidazole), confirming successful nanoformulation. Dissolution profiles demonstrated enhanced drug release in most test batches compared to commercial products. Amoxicillin batch PA2b achieved 90.3% release at 60 min versus 84% (IB) and 64% (GB). Metronidazole batch PM3b showed 94.3% release at 60 min, exceeding 86% (IB) and 69% (GB). Silver nitrate exhibited sustained release alongside antibiotic release, suggesting potential synergistic antimicrobial effects.
Conclusion: Fruit-mediated green synthesis produced stable nanosized formulations with significantly improved dissolution profiles, indicating potential enhancement in bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.