Desenvolvimento de filamentos de impressão 3D FDM contendo levofloxacino : preparação, caracterização e atividade antibacteriana

Abstract

The technique of fused deposition 3D printing (FDM) has attracted increasing interest due to its versatility and applications in areas such as dressings, oral pharmaceutical forms and controlled drug release systems. This study aimed to develop, characterize and evaluate the antibacterial activity of FDM 3D printing filaments containing levofloxacin, using the pH-dependent polymer Eudragit® E100. The filaments were produced by hot extrusion and characterized using techniques such as SEM, DSC, FTIR and XRD. The results confirmed that homogeneous filaments were obtained, with regular surfaces, no structural defects and adequate thermal stability, as well as mechanical properties that make them compatible with 3D printers. FTIR and XRD analysis indicated physical interaction between the polymer and the drug, with no signs of chemical degradation, while the reduction in the crystallinity of levofloxacin suggests an improvement in its solubility and potential bioavailability. Antibacterial activity tests showed efficacy against all the strains tested, with greater activity observed for filaments containing 1% w/w levofloxacin. In addition, the heat treatment applied during extrusion did not compromise the antimicrobial efficacy of the filaments. Drug release studies showed that the profile is influenced by the pH-dependent nature of Eudragit® E100, reinforcing the filaments' potential as antimicrobial medical devices with controlled release. It is concluded that the filaments developed have promising properties for application in the pharmaceutical field, especially in personalized medical devices. Despite the positive results, future studies are needed to optimize the modeling, test the performance under real conditions of use and explore other therapeutic possibilities.