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Constant Pressure-controlled Extrusion Method for the Preparation of Nano-sized Lipid Vesicles
Published on: June 22, 2012
Preparation of liposomes using an improved supercritical reverse phase evaporation method
Katsuto Otake1, Takeshi Shimomura, Toshihiro Goto
1National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Nanotechnology Research Institute, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba Central 5, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan. katsuto-otake@aist.go.jp
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|March 8, 2006
Summary
A novel supercritical carbon dioxide method creates stable liposomes without organic solvents, achieving high glucose encapsulation efficiency. This green chemistry approach offers a promising alternative for liposome preparation.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Traditional liposome preparation often relies on organic solvents, posing environmental and safety concerns.
- Developing solvent-free methods is crucial for sustainable pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate an improved supercritical reverse phase evaporation (ISCRPE) method for liposome preparation.
- To evaluate the efficiency, stability, and structural characteristics of liposomes produced using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)).
Main Methods:
- Liposomes were prepared using the ISCRPE method with various phospholipids and scCO(2) as an alternative to organic solvents.
- Glucose encapsulation efficiency was quantified, and liposome stability was assessed over one month at room temperature.
- Structural characterization included freeze-fractured transmission electron microscopy (TEM), osmotic shrinkage, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Main Results:
- The ISCRPE method achieved a maximum glucose trapping efficiency of 36% with l-alpha-dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), significantly higher than the Bangham method (<10%).
- Liposomes exhibited high stability, remaining intact for one month at room temperature.
- Characterization confirmed the formation of unilamellar vesicles with loosely packed phospholipids, demonstrating the necessity of CO(2) for vesicle formation.
Conclusions:
- The ISCRPE method provides an efficient and green alternative for producing stable, unilamellar liposomes without organic solvents.
- This technique holds potential for advancing drug delivery systems and other biotechnological applications.
