Multifunctional tunable p(inulin) microgels

•Natural, biocompatible and biodegradable p(inulin) microgel in a single step•Modifiable p(inulin) microgels in terms of sizes, porosity and chemical functionality•Enhanced drug loading and release capability of tunable p(inulin) microgel

Inulin, inulin-silica and modified inulin microgels were prepared in a single step via crosslinking within microemulsion, and used as drug delivery devices. Inulin-silica composite micro particles were also synthesized in the presence of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) via a water-in-oil microemulsion polymerization/crosslinking technique. To generate porous inulin particles, inulin-silica particles were treated with 0.5 M NaOH solution to dissolve silica particles. Furthermore, virgin inulin (p(inulin)) and porous inulin microgels (por-p(inulin)) were quaternized successfully by treatment with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTMAC) in aqueous solution, generating positive charges on the biopolymer as q-p(inulin). Rosmarinic acid (RA) was used as model drug for loading and release studies by synthesized inulin-based microgels in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at pH 7.4. It was shown that the absorption and release rate are influenced by zeta potential and porosity of the microgels.

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