The objective of the present study was to employ suitable adsorbent with free flowing characteristics for improving the stability and physical properties of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) for oral administration. Stearic acid based nanoparticles of carvedilol phosphate were fabricated by solvent emulsification evaporation technique in sodium taurocholate solution prepared in pH 7.2 buffers (I-KH2PO4/NaOH or II-NaH2PO4/Na2HPO4) with 1% polyvinyl alcohol. Nanoparticles were then adsorbed by passing the nanodispersion through a Neusilin US2 (adsorbent) column. Interestingly, scanning electron microscopy revealed round deformed and even collapsed nanoparticles in Buffer-I and discrete spherical to ellipsoidal nanoparticles in Buffer-II which indicates the inability of nanoemulsion to crystallize and form SLN in Buffer-I. The successful formation of SLN in Buffer-II was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The retention of SLN from the nanodispersion by adsorption on the adsorbent imparted good flow property and resulted in a marked stability improvement of the formulation in terms of drug retention efficiency and release profile as compared to the simple nanosuspension. In conclusion, the adsorbent technology would be instrumental in imparting additional features to the existing conventional colloidal system for pharmaceutical application which would ease the process of capsule filling at industrial scale, simplify the handling of formulations by patients and can significantly improve the shelf life of the product for a longer period of time as compared to liquid formulations
The goal of this investigation was to develop films containing insulin-coated nanoparticles and evaluate their performance in vitro as potential peptide delivery systems. To incorporate insulin into the films, a new antisolvent co-precipitation fabrication process was adapted to obtain insulin-coated nanoparticles (ICNPs). The ICNPs were embedded in polymeric films containing a cationic polymethacrylate derivative (ERL) or a combination of ERL with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). ICNP-loaded films were characterized for morphology, mucoadhesion, and insulin release. Furthermore, in vitro insulin permeation was evaluated using a cultured tridimensional human buccal mucosa model. The antisolvent co-precipitation method was successfully adapted to obtain ICNPs with 40% (w/w) insulin load, achieving 323±8nm particles with a high zeta potential of 32.4±0.8mV, indicating good stability. High yields were obtained after manufacture and the insulin content did not decrease after one month storage. ICNP-embedded films using ERL as the polymer matrix presented excellent mucoadhesive and insulin release properties. A high permeation enhancement effect was observed for ICNP-loaded ERL films in comparison with ICNP-loaded ERL-HPMC films and a control insulin solution. ICNP-loaded ERL formulations were found to be more effective in terms of film performance and insulin permeation through the human buccal mucosa model, and thus are a promising delivery system for buccal administration of a peptide such as insulin.
The adhesion behaviour of Paenibacillus polymyxa bacteria on pyrite and chalcopyrite is examined by the surface thermodynamics and the extended DLVO theory approaches. In addition, the bacteria are adapted to pyrite and chalcopyrite minerals, and the adhesion behaviour of these bacteria is also investigated. The significance of acid-base interactions in adhesion is assessed. The essential parameters needed for the calculations of interaction energy between bacteria and mineral are experimentally determined. The results illustrate that the bacterial surfaces are more energetic than the mineral surfaces and the bacteria acquired acid-base surface energy component during their adaptation to mineral. The extended DLVO approach is found to be more effective in predicting the adhesion behaviour than the expectations from thermodynamic approach. The thermodynamic approach yields no bacterial adhesion on minerals and this discrepancy is the result of inadequate description of electrostatic interactions. The adhesion predictions by the DLVO approach are able to partially explain the bioflotation results of pyrite and chalcopyrite. Extended DLVO shows that on account of high bacterial surface energy, their aggregation is not feasible. But due to the hydrophobicity of pyrite and chalcopyrite, their aggregation is possible.
The present research work is focused on the development of solid lipid nanoparticles of cefuroxime axetil (CA-SLN) for its enhanced inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus produced biofilm. CA-SLN was prepared by solvent emulsification/evaporation method using single lipid (stearic acid (SA)) and binary lipids (SA and tristearin (TS)). Process variables such as volume of dispersion medium, concentration of surfactant, homogenization speed and time were optimized. The prepared SLN were characterized for encapsulation efficiency, drug polymer interaction studies (DSC and FT-IR), shape and surface morphology (SEM and AFM), in vitro drug release, stability studies and in vitro anti biofilm activity against S. aureus biofilm. Among the process variables, increased volume of dispersion medium, homogenization speed and time led to increase in particle size whereas increase in surfactant concentration decreased the particle size. SLN prepared using binary lipids exhibited higher entrapment efficiency than the single lipid. DSC and FT-IR studies showed no incompatible interaction between drug and excipients. CA-SLN showed two folds higher anti-biofilm activity in vitro than pristine CA against S. aureus biofilm.