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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
Flavonoid nanocrystals produced by ARTcrystal®-technology.
Patrik Scholz1, Cornelia M Keck1
1University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Applied Pharmacy Division, Campus Pirmasens, Germany; Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and NutriCosmetics, Freie Universität Berlin, Kelchstr. 31, 12169 Berlin, Germany.
ARTcrystal(®)-technology efficiently produces nanocrystals using high-speed stirring and high-pressure homogenization. This novel method shows comparable or superior results to classical techniques for antioxidants like rutin, hesperidin, and apigenin.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Efficient production of nanocrystals is crucial for drug delivery and formulation.
- Classical high-pressure homogenization (HPH) is a common method for nanocrystal production.
- Novel techniques are needed to improve efficiency and reduce processing steps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of ARTcrystal(®)-technology for producing nanocrystals of antioxidants.
- To compare ARTcrystal(®)-technology with classical high-pressure homogenization (HPH).
- To assess the impact of raw material properties on the process.
Main Methods:
- ARTcrystal(®)-technology, involving high-speed stirring (HSS) and high-pressure homogenization (HPH) under reduced pressure and cycles.
- Processing of three antioxidants: rutin, hesperidin, and apigenin.
- Comparison of nanocrystal sizes and polydispersity indices (PdIs) with those from classical HPH.
Main Results:
- ARTcrystal(®)-technology successfully produced nanosuspensions of rutin, hesperidin, and apigenin.
- Achieved mean sizes and PdIs were 431 nm/0.27 (rutin), 717 nm/0.21 (hesperidin), and 262 nm/0.31 (apigenin).
- Results were comparable or superior to classical HPH, depending on raw material characteristics.
Conclusions:
- ARTcrystal(®)-technology is a promising novel technique for efficient nanocrystal production.
- The method offers potential advantages over classical HPH for specific applications.
- Further optimization of the HSS step could enhance the overall efficacy of ARTcrystal(®)-technology.
