Preparation and optimization of chitosan nanoparticles and magnetic chitosan nanoparticles as delivery systems using Box–Behnken statistical design

Chitosan nanoparticles and magnetic chitosan nanoparticles can be applied as delivery systems for the anti-Alzheimer drug tacrine. Investigation was carried out to elucidate the influence of process parameters on the mean particle size of chitosan nanoparticles produced by spontaneous emulsification. The method was optimized using design of experiments (DOE) by employing a 3-factor, 3-level Box–Behnken statistical design. This statistical design is used in order to achieve the minimum size and suitable morphology of nanoparticles. Also, magnetic chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized according to optimal method. The designed nanoparticles have average particle size from 33.64 to 74.87 nm, which were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Drug loading in the nanoparticles as drug delivery systems has been done according to the presented optimal method and appropriate capacity of drug loading was shown by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Chitosan and magnetic chitosan nanoparticles as drug delivery systems were characterized by Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transform Mid Infrared spectroscopy (DR-FTMIR).

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► The influence of process parameters on the mean particle size of chitosan nanoparticles was studied.
► This method was optimized using design of experiments by employing a 3-factor, 3-level Box–Behnken statistical design.
► Drug loading on the nanoparticles as drug delivery systems has been done according to the presented optimal method.