Stability of polymersomes with focus on their use as nanoreactors

The increased membrane stability of polymersomes compared to their liposomal counterparts is one of their most important advantages. Due to this benefit, polymer vesicles are intended to be used not only as carrier systems for drug delivery purposes but also as nanoreactors for biotechnological applications. Within this work, the stability of polymersomes made of the triblock copolymer poly(2-methyloxazoline)₁₅-poly(dimethylsiloxane)₆₈-poly(2-methyloxazoline)₁₅ (PMOXA₁₅-PDMS₆₈-PMOXA₁₅) toward mechanical stress, typically prevailing in stirred-tank reactors being the most often used reactor type in the biotechnological industry, was characterized. Dynamic light scattering and turbidity measurements showed that stirrer rotation causing a maximum local energy dissipation of up to 1.23 W/kg^-1 did not result in any loss of vesicle quality or quantity. Nevertheless, most probably due to local membrane defects, 6.6% release of the previously encapsulated model dye calcein was recognized at 25°C within 48 h. Moreover, increased temperature, leading to decreased membrane viscosity and increased membrane fluidity, respectively, led to a higher molecule leakage. Besides, the stability of polymersomes in two-phase systems was investigated. Although alkanes and ionic liquids were shown not to lead to complete vesicle damage, no efficient calcein retention was achieved in either case.