The influence of lipid nanocapsule composition on their size distribution

A formulation process, based on the inversion phase of an emulsion, was used to prepare lipid nanocapsules. Triglycerides, lecithin, salted water and hydroxy stearate of poly(ethylene glycol) were used in the preparation. The amounts of each that allowed nanocapsules to be formed described a feasibility domain within a ternary diagram. The size distribution of various nanoparticulate carriers has already been shown to influence their applications. An experimental mixture design inside the feasibility domain has been used in order to approximate, through an empirical model, the influence of the quantitative composition of nanocapsules on their size distribution. Reduced cubic polynomial equations successfully modelled the evolution of responses in terms of particle average diameters and coefficients of variation. The results were presented using an analysis of response surface showing a scale of possible particle sizes between 20 and 95 nm and a coefficient of variation between 11 and 40%. Furthermore, this technique showed that the proportion of hydrophilic surfactant had a major influence on the average diameter and the size distribution of the particles decreasing when its proportion increased. On the contrary, the coefficient of variation and the average diameter slightly increase with the proportion of triglycerides. Such a tool offers major advantages to design the formulation of particles as a function of the required size distribution.

Sterically and electrosterically stabilized emulsion polymerization. Kinetics and preparation

The principal subject discussed in the current paper is the radical polymerization in the aqueous emulsions of unsaturated monomers (styrene, alkyl (meth)acrylates, etc.) stabilized by non-ionic and ionic/non-ionic emulsifiers. The sterically and electrosterically stabilized emulsion polymerization is a classical method which allows to prepare polymer lattices with large particles and a narrow particle size distribution. In spite of the similarities between electrostatically and sterically stabilized emulsion polymerizations, there are large differences in the polymerization rate, particle size and nucleation mode due to varying solubility of emulsifiers in oil and water phases, micelle sizes and thickness of the interfacial layer at the particle surface. The well-known Smith-Ewart theory mostly applicable for ionic emulsifier, predicts that the number of particles nucleated is proportional to the concentration of emulsifier up to 0.6. The thin interfacial layer at the particle surface, the large surface area of relatively small polymer particles and high stability of small particles lead to rapid polymerization. In the sterically stabilized emulsion polymerization the reaction order is significantly above 0.6. This was ascribed to limited flocculation of polymer particles at low concentration of emulsifier, due to preferential location of emulsifier in the monomer phase. Polymerization in the large particles deviates from the zero-one approach but the pseudo-bulk kinetics can be operative. The thick interfacial layer can act as a barrier for entering radicals due to which the radical entry efficiency and also the rate of polymerization are depressed. The high oil-solubility of non-ionic emulsifier decreases the initial micellar amount of emulsifier available for particle nucleation, which induces non-stationary state polymerization. The continuous release of emulsifier from the monomer phase and dismantling of the non-micellar aggregates maintained a high level of free emulsifier for additional nucleation. In the mixed ionic/non-ionic emulsifiers, the released non-ionic emulsifier can displace the ionic emulsifier at the particle surface, which then takes part in additional nucleation. The non-stationary state polymerization can be induced by the addition of a small amount of ionic emulsifier or the incorporation of ionic groups onto the particle surface. Considering the ionic sites as no-adsorption sites, the equilibrium adsorption layer can be thought of as consisting of a uniform coverage with holes. The de-organization of the interfacial layer can be increased by interparticle interaction via extended PEO chains--a bridging flocculation mechanism. The low overall activation energy for the sterically stabilized emulsion polymerization resulted from a decreased barrier for entering radicals at high temperature and increased particle flocculation.

Development of a new ultraporous polymer as support in organic synthesis

This paper describes the preparation and post-functionalisation of a new polymeric support based on emulsion-derived foams and called polyHIPEs. The remaining pendant vinylic bonds are easily functionalised by a free radical mechanism. The large pores and channels of this material allow an easy access of the reagent in solution toward the grafted species. PolyHIPE-supported thiol, in the presence of an excess of triethylsilane, showed a good activity and selectivity toward reductive cyclisation of 6-bromohex-1-ene and 1-allyloxy-2-bromobenzene.

Semisolid SLN dispersions for topical application: influence of formulation and production parameters on viscoelastic properties

Aqueous solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) dispersions with a high lipid content up to 35% and viscous to semisolid consistency were produced by a high pressure homogenization process. Despite their high lipid content and viscosity these dispersions preserved their colloidal size range. The SLN dispersions were compared to nanoemulsions and microparticle dispersions with regard to particle size, viscoelastic properties and formation of a semisolid gel structure. Viscoelastic measurements including oscillation stress sweep tests and oscillation frequency sweep tests demonstrated that the existence of a solid particle matrix with a particle size in the nanometer range is a prerequisite to form a semisolid dispersion having the appropriate consistency for topical application. Striking differences were observed between solid lipid micro- and nanodispersions of the same composition. Particle size reduction resulted in an 80-fold increase of the elastic modulus. Particle size distribution, the physical state of the dispersed lipid phase and the emulsifier concentration have been identified as further key factors for the viscoelastic properties and gel structure of the lipid nanodispersions. By conducting oscillation measurements it was possible to relate the stability of lipid dispersions to specific rheological parameters therefore providing a sensitive tool in stability assessment. Changing the production process from a 40 ml batch to a 2 l batch turned out to have an influence on the colloidal structures of semisolid SLN dispersions. Consistency increased but particle size and ratio of elastic to viscous properties stayed in the same range.

A reverse microemulsion polymerization method for preparation of bioadhesive polyacrylic acid nanoparticles for mucosal drug delivery: loading and release of timolol maleate

Polyacrylic acid nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using a reverse microemulsion polymerization process. They had a narrow size range, averaging approximately 50 nm, and were stable in buffer. The particles were isolated and lyophilized in dry powder form, and were redispersible as individual particles in buffer. The drug timolol maleate was loaded into the nanoparticles from aqueous drug solutions and, when the drug-loaded particles were dispersed in a phosphate buffer solution, the drug slowly released over several hours from the nanoparticles.

The biomimetics of enamel: a paradigm for organized biomaterials synthesis

The formation of enamel takes place through a sequence of processes that can be mimicked in inorganic materials chemistry. This chapter describes the generic features of enamel biomineralization in terms of a house-building analogy. Four stages are identified: supramolecular preorganization and spatial patterning; interfacial molecular recognition in inorganic nucleation; vectorial crystallization; and pattern evolution and hierarchy. Each of these concepts can be translated into synthetic approaches to the formation of inorganic materials with organized architectures. An example of applying this biomimetic paradigm is described. Supersaturated water-in-oil microemulsions have been used to synthesize microskeletal calcium phosphates by controlled nucleation and vectorial growth in constrained reaction environments. The results of these preliminary studies suggest that biomimetic concepts could be useful in the fabrication of biomaterial implants with controlled porosity and microstructure.

The influence of manufacturing parameters on the formation and growth on autoclaving of a 40% V/V Bis-Perfluorobutylethene emulsion

The influence of different process variables on the number of large particles before and after autoclaving of a 40% V/V Bis-Perfluorobutylethene emulsion stabilized by egg yolk lecithin, made isotonic with blood, was examined. The concentration of emulsifier, emulsification and autoclaving time and temperature, fill volume and the cooling gradient applied to the emulsion after autoclaving all affect the number of large droplets and hence the stability and acceptability of the finished product. This work suggests that validation of equipment and process to very exacting specifications and strict adherence to specified manufacturing protocol is essential for the reproducible production of fluorocarbon emulsions acceptable for intravenous administration.

Paramagnetic oil emulsions as oral magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents

The combination of a paramagnetic agent with an oil emulsion can uniformly enhance the small bowel. We discovered that the entire small bowel becomes homogeneously brighter than its surroundings when imaged with all commonly utilized pulse sequences. We have tried various combinations of ferric ammonium citrate, ferrous sulfate, gadolinium-DPTA and corn oil, olive oil and peanut oil. All paramagnetic oil emulsions tested were uniformly distributed throughout the small bowel, but the enhancement effect is much stronger with the ferric ammonium citrate and gadolinium-DPTA oil emulsions. We have also developed a mixture of Geritol, corn oil, ice cream and milk, which uniformly coats the small bowel wall, has good enhancement effect, tastes good, and is nutritious. With this dietary contrast, retroperitoneal structures including the pancreas can be well delineated. We conclude that the combination of a paramagnetic agent with an oil emulsion can work as a safe and effective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) oral contrast agent with high patient acceptance.

Gels in soap stabilized emulsions

In some soap stabilized liquid paraffin emulsions a correlation has been found between emulsion type and the contact angle of the soap gel (the stabilizing agent) at the o/w interface. Two unrelated series of emulsions have been prepared, one series being stabilized by magnesium oleate gels and the other series by ammonium oleate gels. The soap gels were prepared by double decomposition and suppression of ionization respectively. Unlike the magnesium oleate system no inversion to w/o emulsions occurred with the ammonium oleate series. This dissimilarity is predicted from differences in the contact angles of the soap gels at the o/w interface.