Textiles with gallic acid microspheres: in vitro release characteristics

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the skin penetration of an antioxidant, gallic acid (GA), encapsulated in poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) microspheres and applied onto textile fabrics, by a specific in vitro percutaneous absorption methodology. Two techniques (particle size distribution and FTIR) were used to characterise the microspheres obtained. The amount of GA-loaded microspheres present in the biofunctional textiles was established before their use as a textile drug delivery system. More absorption and desorption of microspheres with GA for the polyamide fabric were found in comparison with cotton fabric. The percutaneous absorption results indicated that the skin penetration of GA released from PCL-microspheres that were applied directly to the skin was higher than when GA was embedded within biofunctional textiles, in conclusion, an interesting reservoir effect may be promoted when biofunctional textiles were used