title: Chitosan-Based Nano-Embedded Microparticles: Impact of Nanogel Composition on Physicochemical Properties.
abstract: Chitosan-based nanogels have been widely applied as drug delivery vehicles. Spray-drying of said nanogels allows for the preparation of dry powder nano-embedded microparticles. In this work, chitosan-based nanogels composed of chitosan, alginate, and/or sodium tri-penta phosphate were investigated, particularly with respect to the impact of composition on the resulting physicochemical properties. Different compositions were obtained as nanogels with sizes ranging from 203 to 561 nm. The addition of alginate and exclusion of sodium tri-penta phosphate led to an increase in nanogel size. The nanogels were subsequently spray-dried to form nano-embedded microparticles with trehalose or mannitol as matrix excipient. The microparticles of different composition were mostly spherical with a smooth surface and a mass median aerodynamic diameter of 6-10 µm. Superior redispersibility was observed for microparticles containing amorphous trehalose. This study demonstrates the potential of nano-embedded microparticles for stabilization and delivery of nanogel-based delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: Section for Pharmaceutical Technology and Engineering, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. paromitaislam@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paromita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Section for Pharmaceutical Technology and Engineering, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. jorritwater@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jorrit J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Water
authors.affiliation: Section for Pharmaceutical Technology and Engineering, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. adam.bohr@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bohr
authors.affiliation: Section for Pharmaceutical Technology and Engineering, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. jukka.rantanen@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rantanen
keywords: Chitosan; drug delivery; nano-embedded microparticles; nanogels; spray-drying