Department of Biological Science and Technology, I-Shou University, Taiwan.
Electrophoresis. 2012 Nov;33(21):3173-80. doi: 10.1002/elps.201200211. Epub 2012 Sep 5.
This study reports a facile method for the synthesis of hemispherical and discoidal chitosan microparticles by a combination of microfluidic technology and gelation strategy at an oil/water interface. Utilizing microfluidic emulsification in a cross-junction channel, the formation of regular droplets was achieved. Following the ionic gelation procedure at the liquid-liquid interface of the gelling solution and oil solution in the reservoir pool, either hemispherical or discoidal chitosan microparticles were obtained. Special emphasis was put on the interface reaction of emulsion gelation parameters such as ionic crosslinkers, density modifiers, and surfactants, to tailor the morphologies of chitosan particles ranging from 160 to 750 μm. In addition, the proposed microfluidic device is capable of generating relatively uniform microparticles with a well-controllable shape and size. Being a simple, low-cost and high-throughput process is an added advantage. The synthesized hemispherical and discoidal chitosan microparticles can be applied to many applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical arena.
本研究报告了一种在油水界面处结合微流控技术和凝胶策略合成半球形和盘形壳聚糖微球的简便方法。利用十字通道中的微流乳化作用，实现了规则液滴的形成。在储液器中凝胶溶液和油溶液的液-液界面进行离子凝胶化后，得到了半球形或盘形壳聚糖微球。特别强调了乳液凝胶化参数（如离子交联剂、密度调节剂和表面活性剂）在界面上的反应，以调整壳聚糖颗粒的形态，范围从 160 到 750 μm。此外，所提出的微流控装置能够生成具有良好可控形状和尺寸的相对均匀的微球。作为一种简单、低成本和高通量的工艺，这是一个额外的优势。合成的半球形和盘形壳聚糖微球可应用于制药和生物医学领域的许多应用。
