Use of nanoparticle concentration as a tool to understand the structural properties of colloids

Author(s)

de Morais Ribeiro, Ligia Nunes ^[1] ; Couto, Veronica Muniz ^[1] ; Fraceto, Leonardo Fernandes ^[2] ; de Paula, Eneida ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Dept Biochem & Tissue Biol, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Inst Sci & Technol Sorocaba, Lab Environm Nanotechnol, Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 8, JAN 17 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

Elucidation of the structural properties of colloids is paramount for a successful formulation. However, the intrinsic dynamism of colloidal systems makes their characterization a difficult task and, in particular, there is a lack of physicochemical techniques that can be correlated to their biological performance. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) allows measurements of size distribution and nanoparticle concentration in real time. Its analysis over time also enables the early detection of physical instability in the systems not assessed by subtle changes in size distribution. Nanoparticle concentration is a parameter with the potential to bridge the gap between in vitro characterization and biological performance of colloids, and therefore should be monitored in stability studies of formulations. To demonstrate this, we have followed two systems: extruded liposomes exposed to increasing CHCl3 concentrations, and solid lipid nanoparticles prepared with decreasing amounts of poloxamer 188. NTA and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to monitor changes in nanoparticle number and size, and to estimate the number of lipid components per particle. The results revealed a strong negative correlation between particle size (determined by DLS) and concentration (assessed by NTA) in diluted samples, which should be adopted to monitor nanocolloidal stability, especially in drug delivery. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/14457-5 - Lipid-based nanocarriers (SLN/NLC and remote-loading liposomes) used to improve the upload and potency of local anesthetics
• Grantee: Eneida de Paula
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/25372-0 - Development of nanostructured lipid carriers encapsulating local anesthetics processed biopolymeric matrices for topical application at oral mucosa
• Grantee: Lígia Nunes de Morais Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral