Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2487069 | Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences | 2010 | 12 Pages |
Abstract
Polyelectrolyte protected β-carotene nanoparticles (nanosuspensions) with average diameter of < 100 nm were achieved by turbulent mixing and flash nanoprecipitation (FNP). Three types of multi-amine functional polyelectrolytes, ε-polylysine (ε-PL), poly(ethylene imine) (PEI), and chitosan, were investigated to electrosterically protect the nanoparticles. Particle size and distribution were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS); particles were imaged via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Low pH and high polyelectrolyte molecular weight gave the smallest and most stable particles. High drug loading capacity, > 80 wt%, was achieved by using either PEI or chitosan. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that β-carotene nanoparticles were amorphous. These findings open the way for utilization of FNP for preparation of nanoparticles with enhanced bioavailability for highly water insoluble drugs.
Keywords
Related Topics
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Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science
Drug Discovery
Authors
Zhengxi Zhu, Katrin Margulis-Goshen, Shlomo Magdassi, Yeshayahu Talmon, Christopher W. Macosko,