Composition-Dependent Wettability, Moisture Sorption and Adhesion of HPMC, Carbopol and Kollidon Binary Matrices to a Model Mucin Layer: An In Vitro Study
- 1Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, ul. Berdychowo 4, 61-131 Poznan, Poland
- 2Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 3 Rokietnicka, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
Abstract
This study systematically evaluates the composition-dependent wettability, apparent surface free energy, moisture sorption, and adhesion to a model mucin layer of binary polymer matrices composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), Carbopol 974P NF, and Kollidon VA 64, complemented by liquid uptake measurements of the individual polymer powders. API-free compressed discs containing three binary polymer combinations at weight ratios of 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 were investigated using contact angle measurements, surface free energy estimation, liquid uptake analysis, moisture sorption studies, scanning electron microscopy, and in vitro detachment-force measurements. The results revealed distinct composition-dependent responses. HPMC exhibited limited initial wettability, with a water contact angle of 103.4°, and the lowest moisture uptake (14.8% after 96 h at 25 °C and 85% RH). Incorporation of Carbopol improved wettability and increased moisture sorption, with the HPMC:Carbopol 1:2 matrix exhibiting a water contact angle of 44.4° and a moisture mass gain of 32.7%. HPMC:Carbopol blends exhibited reproducible detachment forces against the model mucin layer, ranging from approximately 1.2 to 1.5 N. In contrast, Kollidon-containing matrices exhibited favorable initial wetting, but selected Kollidon-rich formulations showed insufficient cohesion during contact with the mucin layer, preventing reliable detachment-force measurements. These findings indicate that polymer composition influences the balance between early wettability, moisture uptake, and measurable adhesion under the investigated in vitro conditions. Among the tested formulations, HPMC:Carbopol 1:2 showed a favorable combination of these properties, supporting its further evaluation as a potential mucoadhesive matrix.
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BibTeX
@article{rojewska2026compositiondependent,
title = {{Composition-Dependent Wettability, Moisture Sorption and Adhesion of HPMC, Carbopol and Kollidon Binary Matrices to a Model Mucin Layer: An In Vitro Study}},
author = {Monika Rojewska and Klaudia Szelejewska and Karolina Fikus and Emilia Jakubowska and Tomasz Osmałek and Krystyna Prochaska},
journal = {Polymers},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/polym18212681},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/21/2681},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Composition-Dependent Wettability, Moisture Sorption and Adhesion of HPMC, Carbopol and Kollidon Binary Matrices to a Model Mucin Layer: An In Vitro Study
AU - Monika Rojewska
AU - Klaudia Szelejewska
AU - Karolina Fikus
AU - Emilia Jakubowska
AU - Tomasz Osmałek
AU - Krystyna Prochaska
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Polymers
DO - 10.3390/polym18212681
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/21/2681
AB - This study systematically evaluates the composition-dependent wettability, apparent surface free energy, moisture sorption, and adhesion to a model mucin layer of binary polymer matrices composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), Carbopol 974P NF, and Kollidon VA 64, complemented by liquid uptake measurements of the individual polymer powders. API-free compressed discs containing three binary polymer combinations at weight ratios of 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 were investigated using contact angle measurements, surface free energy estimation, liquid uptake analysis, moisture sorption studies, scanning electron microscopy, and in vitro detachment-force measurements. The results revealed distinct composition-dependent responses. HPMC exhibited limited initial wettability, with a water contact angle of 103.4°, and the lowest moisture uptake (14.8% after 96 h at 25 °C and 85% RH). Incorporation of Carbopol improved wettability and increased moisture sorption, with the HPMC:Carbopol 1:2 matrix exhibiting a water contact angle of 44.4° and a moisture mass gain of 32.7%. HPMC:Carbopol blends exhibited reproducible detachment forces against the model mucin layer, ranging from approximately 1.2 to 1.5 N. In contrast, Kollidon-containing matrices exhibited favorable initial wetting, but selected Kollidon-rich formulations showed insufficient cohesion during contact with the mucin layer, preventing reliable detachment-force measurements. These findings indicate that polymer composition influences the balance between early wettability, moisture uptake, and measurable adhesion under the investigated in vitro conditions. Among the tested formulations, HPMC:Carbopol 1:2 showed a favorable combination of these properties, supporting its further evaluation as a potential mucoadhesive matrix.
SN - 2073-4360
ER -