Application of the combined use of ultrasonic homogenization and electro-spraying in the formation of nano carrier systems

Abstract

Chitosan-coated nano-liposomes containing etofenprox were prepared by ultrasonic homogenization (UH) and a combined use of UH and electro-spraying. The physicochemical properties of the resulting samples were examined and compared. The two methods yielded similar values and tendencies, except for encapsulation efficiency that differed by an average of 15%. In the coating process, as the chitosan concentration increased (0.1-0.5%, w/v) and the degree of deacetylation increased (chitosans A, B and C), the surface charge of the nano carrier likewise increased and carrier size distribution was altered. The encapsulation efficiency as measured by gas chromatography decreased slightly with the increasing chitosan concentration (0.1-0.5%, w/v). The results indicate that diverse preparation conditions could affect the physicochemical properties of the resulting nano carrier systems.