title: Spinning disc processing technology: potential for large-scale manufacture of chitosan nanoparticles.
abstract: Mass production of nanoparticles using a reliable cost-effective approach is a challenge in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, the spinning disc processing (SDP) technology was used to fabricate chitosan nanoparticles, with a view to commercially produce chitosan nanoparticle-based drug delivery platforms. Chitosan solution (0.25%, w/v, in dilute acid, 27.5 mL, 1.5 mL/s) was intensely mixed with sodium tripolyphosphate solution (0.10%, w/v, in water, 20 mL, 1.1 mL/s) on the spinning disc (1000 rpm). Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering data confirmed that the nanoparticles (20 +/- 3 nm) were comparable in size and shape to those synthesised using a beaker and magnetic stirrer (31 +/- 13 nm). Larger nanoparticles (131 +/- 5 nm) were produced by increasing the chitosan and TPP feed concentrations to 0.5% and 0.125%, respectively. Drug loading further increased the size of the nanoparticles, with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) having a greater effect (403 +/- 4 nm) than paracetamol (165 +/- 4 nm). Co-loading of both drugs increased the size of the particles to the micron range. In conclusion, the SDP is a robust technology capable of expanding the production of blank and drug-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Drug Delivery, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Jing Wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Lee-Yong
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000737:chemistry; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D000082:Acetaminophen; D048271:Chitosan; D000111:Acetylcysteine