title: Biodegradable microparticles and nanoparticles by electrospraying techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Biodegradable microparticles and nanoparticles are receiving increased attention for their ability to serve as a viable carrier for site-specific delivery of genes, drugs and other biomolecules. Electrospraying represents a challenging technology which allows for the preparation of biodegradable particles with high bioavailability, good encapsulation, controlled release and fewer toxic properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chitosan and polycaprolactone (PCL) particles were processed via electrospraying with control of basic process parameters: voltage and flow rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCL microparticles with spherical shape or flattened particles were obtained as a function of the concentration of the processed solutions, which affects evaporation and chain entanglement formation. Chitosan nanoparticles with submicrometric sizes were obtained by carefully adjusting voltage and flow rate, which enables the control of particle size and distribution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We evaluated the benefits of the electrospraying technique to control the morphology of biodegradable microparticles and nanoparticles for drug-delivery applications. The implementation of simple technological solutions which combine the use of standard electrospraying and electrospinning by simultaneous or sequential steps, opens the way toward the development of new, interesting devices for drug-delivery applications such as tumor targeting and oral delivery.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Composite and Biomedical Materials, National Research Council of Italy, Naples, Italy. vguarino@unina.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guarino
authors.forename: Wan Khartini Wan Abdul
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Khodir
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D008863:Microspheres; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D004317:Doxorubicin; D048271:Chitosan