Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
12:00
Preparation and Characterization of SDF-1α-Chitosan-Dextran Sulfate Nanoparticles
Published on: January 22, 2015
13.0K
Highly monodisperse colloidal coacervates based on a bioactive lactose-modified chitosan: From synthesis to
Franco Furlani1, Pasquale Sacco1, Eleonora Marsich2
1Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|August 20, 2017
Summary
Researchers fabricated nano-sized coacervates using modified chitosan (CTL60) and tripolyphosphate (TPP). These stable, homogeneous coacervates show potential as novel drug delivery nano-carriers.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Chitosan-based materials are explored for drug delivery.
- Developing stable nano-carriers is crucial for effective drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize nano-sized coacervates from modified chitosan (CTL60) and tripolyphosphate (TPP).
- To evaluate the stability and potential of these coacervates as drug delivery systems.
Main Methods:
- Coacervate formation using CTL60 and TPP at specific pH and molar ratios.
- Characterization of coacervate properties including homogeneity, polydispersity index (PDI), and stability.
- Assessment of freeze-drying capability and model molecule hosting.
Main Results:
- Homogeneous nano-sized coacervates were successfully fabricated at pH 4.5, driven by electrostatic interactions.
- CTL60 yielded coacervates with low PDI, unlike unmodified chitosan.
- Coacervates demonstrated stability at 4°C for three weeks, could be freeze-dried without cryoprotectants, and hosted a model molecule.
Conclusions:
- Modified chitosan (CTL60) enables the formation of stable, homogeneous nano-coacervates.
- These CTL60/TPP coacervates are promising candidates for developing innovative, biologically-active nano-carriers for drug delivery.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Colloidal precipitates
6.6K
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
6.6K
03:22Colloids
21.6K
Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...
21.6K
01:17Colloids and Suspensions
3.6K
Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles visible to the naked eye or seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. The suspended particles in a suspension settle out after some time of mixing. The separation of particles from a suspension is...
3.6K