A modular microfluidic platform for the synthesis of biopolymeric nanoparticles entrapping organic actives

By using a novel and versatile capillary microfluidic flow-focusing device we fabricated monodisperse drug-loaded nanoparticles from biodegradable polymers. A model amphiphilic drug (dexamethasone) was incorporated within the biodegradable matrix of the particles. The effects of flow rate ratio, polymer concentration and microreactor focusing channel dimensions on nanoparticles size and drug loading have been investigated. The presented data demonstrate that the microfluidic approach resulted in the production of colloidal nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution and useful morphological characteristics.This approach allows the rapid, easy, low cost and automated synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles, thus it may become a useful approach in the progression from laboratory scale to pilot-line scale processes.