Synthesis of Submicrometric Chitosan Particles Loaded with Calcium Phosphate for Biomedical Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Chitosan particles loaded with dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) offer combined antimicrobial and osteoconductive properties for regenerative medicine.
• Existing micrometer-sized particles have limitations in biomedical applications.
• Submicrometer-sized particles have been developed using electrospray techniques to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how electrospray process parameters influence the size and properties of submicrometer chitosan particles loaded with DCPA.
• To optimize particle characteristics for enhanced efficacy in biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Electrospraying of chitosan and DCPA solutions at varying flow rates (0.2, 0.5, 1.0 mL/h).
• Crosslinking of particles using glutaraldehyde.
• Characterization of particle morphology, inorganic content, zeta potential, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against *S. mutans*.

Main Results:

• All conditions produced particles with spherical and bi-concave morphologies and a mean size of approximately 235 nm.
• DCPA addition decreased zeta potential, but values remained above 30 mV, indicating low aggregation potential.
• The flow rate of 0.5 mL/h yielded optimal DCPA incorporation and superior antimicrobial activity against *S. mutans*.

Conclusions:

• Electrospraying is effective in producing submicrometer chitosan/DCPA particles.
• A flow rate of 0.5 mL/h represents the optimal condition for balancing particle morphology, zeta potential, DCPA content, and antimicrobial efficacy.
• These optimized submicrometer particles hold significant potential for applications in regenerative medicine.