title: Versatile Methodology to Encapsulate Gold Nanoparticles in PLGA Nanoparticles Obtained by Nano-Emulsion Templating.
abstract: Gold nanoparticles have been proved useful for many biomedical applications, specifically, for their use as advanced imaging systems. However, they usually present problems related with stability and toxicity.
  
  
  
  In the present work, gold-nanoparticles have been encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles using a novel methodology based on nano-emulsion templating. Firstly, gold nanoparticles have been transferred from water to ethyl acetate, a solvent classified as class III by the NIH guidelines (low toxic potential). Next, the formation of nano-emulsions loaded with gold nanoparticles has been performed using a low-energy, the phase inversion composition (PIC) emulsification method, followed by solvent evaporation giving rise to polymeric nanoparticles.
  
  
  
  Using this methodology, high concentrations of gold nanoparticles (>100 pM) have been encapsulated. Increasing gold nanoparticle concentration, nano-emulsion and nanoparticle sizes increase, resulting in a decrease on the stability. It is noteworthy that the designed nanoparticles did not produce cytotoxicity neither hemolysis at the required concentration.
  
  
  
  Therefore, it can be concluded that a novel and very versatile methodology has been developed for the production of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with gold nanoparticles. Graphical Abstract Schematic representation of AuNP-loaded polymeric nanoparticles preparation from nano-emulsion templating.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, Barcelona, Spain. cfornaguera@gmail.com.|CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona, Spain. cfornaguera@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7014-3213
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fornaguera
authors.affiliation: Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, Barcelona, Spain.|CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Natàlia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Feiner-Gracia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, Barcelona, Spain.|CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dols-Perez
authors.affiliation: CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona, Spain.|Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Barcelona, Av/Joan XXIII s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: García-Celma
authors.affiliation: Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, Barcelona, Spain.|CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Conxita
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Solans
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004655:Emulsions; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D006046:Gold; C007650:ethyl acetate
keywords: AuNP-loaded polymeric nanoparticles; nano-emulsion templating; novel imaging systems; phase inversion composition (PIC) emulsification method); polymeric nanoparticles