title: Synthesis of β-1,3-glucan esters showing nanosphere formation.
abstract: Polysaccharide nanoparticles are versatile functional materials used in drug delivery applications. Here we describe a method for the synthesis of β-1,3-glucan esters which show the formation of nanoparticles. Pyridine-soluble β-1,3-glucan formate was first synthesized as an intermediate and then reacted with various anhydrates to yield β-1,3-glucan acetate and hexaonate. The resultant esters were soluble in common organic solvents like acetone, pyridine and dimethylacetamide. By using a simple dialysis process, homogeneous hollow or solid nanospheres with diameter from 132 to 487 nm were prepared. The chemical structures of the obtained β-1,3-glucan esters were characterized and the morphologies of the β-1,3-glucan based nanoparticles were evaluated. These new types of nanoparticles could be potentially used for the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs targeting immune cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. tidewoo@foxmail.com
authors.forename: Chaoxi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Longzhao
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuang
authors.forename: Beibei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Xiaoying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shunqing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D060326:Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; D004951:Esterification; D004952:Esters; D054118:Nanospheres / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D012997:Solvents; D047071:beta-Glucans; D014867:Water; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan
keywords: Esterification; Nanospheres; β-1,3-Glucan