Reinforcement of Chitosan Nanoparticles Obtained by an Ionic Cross-linking Process

The reduction in burst release of a new drug nanocarrier system was achieved by ionic gelation of nanoparticles made of chitosan and tripolyphosphate. Capability of calcium alginate for reinforcement of the chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticle matrix was studied. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was loaded into nanoparticles as a model drug. The final particle size, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency and the release rate of BSA were optimized in relation to variations in parameters such as sodium alginate concentration, theoretical loading of BSA and degree of deacetylation of chitosan. It was found that increases in sodium alginate concentration resulted in smaller particle size, higher polydispersity index, lower entrapment efficiency and lower release rate of BSA. The same parametric changes were observed for the theoretical loading of BSA, with the exception of drug release which was followed by higher rate. Nanoparticles of chitosan-tripolyphosphate with a high degree of deacetylation led to production of smaller particle size, higher polydispersity index and entrapment efficiency, and a faster drug-release profile. The experimental data of this study revealed that burst release decreased significantly in reinforced chitosan- ripolyphosphate nanoparticles.