Evaluation of the stability of biodegradable nanoparticle with time via particle size measurement

Abstract

Colloidal stability of the biodegradable nanoparticle was characterized by measuring the variation of particle size with time using photon correlation spectroscopy. Three kinds of polymers, namely, poly (D,L-lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA), PLGA/poly (L-lactide) blends, and PLGA/poly (L-lactide) -g-poly (ethylene glycol) blends were used as matrix material for nanoparticle preparation. Nanoparticles were prepared with or without using poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as suspension stabilizer to evaluate the condition of preparation. Nanoparticles from the blend of amphiphilic graft copolymer with short poly (ethylene glycol) chain and PLGA maintained suspension for 1 day when protein stock solution was introduced. This is somewhat improvement in colloidal stability against protein adsorption compared with that of nanoparticles without PEG moiety. Suspension stabilizer, PVA, had a significant effect on the colloidal stability against freezing and protein adsorption which led to coagulation of nanoparticles. It is important to consider effect of suspension stabilizer as well as materials used to prepare nanoparticle on the colloidal