Scalable production of polymeric nanoparticles containing levamisole for use in aquaculture

• Grant number: 25/22367-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Wanderley Pereira Oliveira
• Grantee: Lívia Rodrigues Boueri de Souza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 25/13953-3 - Nanotechnological Strategies for Sustainable Antimicrobial Control in Fish Farming, AP.R

Abstract

The intensification of aquaculture systems in Brazil has increased the incidence of infectious diseases, a problem further aggravated by the lack of specific veterinary formulations for fish and the indiscriminate use of conventional antibiotics. In this context, nanotechnology emerges as a promising tool, enabling the development of controlled-release systems capable of enhancing the efficacy of therapeutic compounds, reducing the required dosage, and minimizing environmental impacts. Among natural polymers, gelatin stands out for its biocompatibility, ability to form three-dimensional networks, and presence of functional groups that facilitate chemical modification and crosslinking. In this project, gelatin will be combined with natural biopolymers such as chitosan, resistant starch, and pectin, whose physicochemical properties favor the modulation of bioactive compound release along the gastrointestinal tract. The association of these materials aims to improve nanoparticle stability, prolong their residence time in the intestinal lumen, and provide greater control over the release profile of levamisole in cultured fish. This approach seeks to optimize the efficiency of the delivery system and reduce drug loss into the environment. The present project proposes the production of polymeric nanoparticles containing the antimicrobial compound levamisole using the desolvation technique associated with high-pressure homogenization. Levamisole, in addition to its well-known antiparasitic action, exhibits immunomodulatory properties relevant to the prevention of infectious diseases in fish. The choice of high-pressure homogenization is justified by its high scalability potential, representing a promising strategy for production at a scale sufficient for clinical trials. Furthermore, it facilitates the transition from academic research to industrial applications, fostering technology transfer and collaboration with the production sector. Nanoparticles will be obtained by varying parameters such as polymer concentration, solution pH, homogenization time, and applied pressure, aiming to produce stable, reproducible nanostructured systems with high encapsulation efficiency. The developed formulations will be characterized for hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, morphology (SEM), and stability under different pH conditions. The scholarship holder's activities will include formulation preparation, execution of encapsulation assays, and data analysis, providing practical scientific training in nanotechnology applied to animal health. It is expected that the results will contribute to the development of effective and sustainable solutions aligned with the One Health concept in aquaculture. (AU)