Influence of process parameters on properties of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC) formulation

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are stable colloidal formulations with notable advantages for drug delivery systems. Thanks to their physicochemical stability, biocompatibility, biodegradability and controlled drug release, they have received increasing attention for the last several years. The aim of the study was to prepare and characterize nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC). Both, the effect of the process parameters and the effect of the preemulsion composition on the NLC properties were investigated. In the work, different type of surfactants (i.e. decyl glucoside, Poloxamer188, Tween 80, sodium cholate) and their combinations were used to stabilize NLC dispersions. Moreover, several kinds of solid lipids (modified beeswax, gliceryl behenate, cetyl palmitate and berry wax) and liquid lipids (caprilic/capric triglyceride and decyl oleate) were applied. An ultrasonication method using a probe type sonicator was used to obtain NLC, and the time and energy of the process were modified throuhout. The physicochemical properties of the formulations, such as particle size, size distribution, polidispersity index were studied using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. The electrophoretic mobility of obtained particles was also measured, using the Zetasizer Nano ZS Malvern Instrument based on the Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) technique. Knowing the value of electrophoretic mobility of particles for given conditions, the zeta potential was determined. The obtained results showed that the process parameters and the composition of the preemulsion had significant impact on the nanoparticles structure. The optimal formulations size ranged between 60 and 80 nm, and the value of their zeta potential was up to -30mV. The stability of these systems was further confirmed by macroscopic observation.