| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 601306 | Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces | 2011 | 5 Pages |
The aim of this work was to develop and characterize a new type of nanocapsules. To this end, a nanoemulsion bearing an oily core (Miglyol 812) was obtained by spontaneous emulsification and stabilized by dodecyl-trimethylammonium chloride (DTAC), a commercial cationic surfactant; this nanoemulsion was coated with proportionally very small amounts of κ-carrageenan (at molar charge ratios of Z ≤ 0.0045) that interact predominantly by an electrostatic mechanism with the positively charged sites at the polar heads of DTAC at the nanoemulsion's surface to harness nanocapsules of average size ∼250–330 nm and zeta potential (ζ) ranging from ∼+80 to +7 mV. The potential application of the new type of developed nanosystems as drug delivery vehicles has yet to be investigated and fully realized.
Graphical abstractA model proposed to describe the interaction between κ-carrageenan and DTAC-stabilized nanoemulsion; it explains the influence of the polyelectrolyte attached at the nanocapsule's surface on the physical properties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We succeeded to develop new prototype of nanocapsules based on the electrostatic interaction of oppositely charged κ-carrageenan polyelectrolyte with the surface of DTAC-stabilized nanoemulsion. ► The interaction is extremely effective as even at Z values of ∼0.0045 (Z = [SO3−]/[(CH3)3N+]), the surface of the nanocapsules becomes almost completely neutralized. ► The potential application of this new type of nanocapsules in drug delivery seems promising.
