Polymer Stabilized Drug Nanoparticles Via Flash Nanoprecipitation

Nanoparticles of highly insoluble drugs can be created by flash nanoprecipitation, FNP. Turbulent mixing combined with a polymer stabilizer can produce particles in the 100 nm size range, ideal for passive targeting of tumors and advantageous to increase solubility. Biodegradable block copolymers (e.g., PLGA-b-PEG) or polyelectrolytes (e.g., chitosan) were used to stabilize beta-carotene particles. Particle size and distribution were measured by dynamic light scattering and particles were imaged via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Drug loading capacity of at least 83 wt% (drug loading ratio carotene/stabilizer = 5/1) was achieved. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that beta-carotene was trapped in the amorphous state.