Microfluidic assembly of "Turtle-Like" shaped solid lipid nanoparticles for lysozyme delivery

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Nanomedicine has advanced, making nanoscale delivery systems for biologics clinically viable.
• Microfluidic fabrication is emerging as a superior alternative to traditional methods like precipitation and emulsion for nanoparticle production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare conventional and microfluidic-based production techniques for solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs).
• To evaluate the encapsulation and delivery efficiency of lysozyme (LZ) using microfluidic-produced SLNs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 3D-printed microfluidic device for SLN fabrication.
• Compared microfluidic SLNs with conventionally produced SLNs loaded with lysozyme (LZ).
• Analyzed particle size, encapsulation efficacy, structure (Cryo-EM), in vitro release, and enzymatic activity.

Main Results:

• Microfluidic SLNs exhibited smaller size (158 nm vs 180 nm) and higher encapsulation efficacy (70% vs 53%) for LZ compared to conventional methods.
• Cryo-EM revealed a unique 'turtle-like' surface structure on LZ-loaded SLNs.
• In vitro studies confirmed sustained LZ release over 7 days and maintained enzymatic activity.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidic production is an efficient method for creating SLNs for biological encapsulation and delivery.
• This technique offers advantages in particle characteristics and payload protection for complex biomolecules like lysozyme.