Date of Graduation

5-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Chemical Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Almodovar, Jorge

Committee Member/Reader

Walker, Heather

Abstract

This thesis compares the performance of meloxicam and firocoxib in the aspects of its physical characteristic, chemical compositions, and in-vitro performances for transdermal pain management microneedle patches on farm animals. The microneedle patches are composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), type I collagen (COL), and chitosan (CHI) as base material that carries NSAIDs to achieve therapeutic purposes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to observe the morphological and physical characteristics of the microneedle patches. Both meloxicam and firocoxib microneedle patches were successfully prepared using the methodology, with organized microneedle distribution and sizing. And Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the chemical composition of the PVA-COL-CHI-MEL microneedle patch. The PVA-COL-CHI-MEL microneedle also confirmed its ability to penetrate the skin of pig’s ears and dissolve over 24 hours through in-vitro penetration tests. These results revealed the PVA-COL-CHI-MEL microneedle patch’s potential to deliver pain-management drugs through transdermal contact.

Keywords

Microneedle patches; pain management; meloxicam; polyvinyl alcohol; transdermal drug delivery

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