nanoencapsulation (rus. нанокапсулирование) — a type of microencapsulation; a technique for enclosing bioactive substances in nanoscale shells made from biodegradable polymers and lipids.

Description

Microencapsulation is the encapsulation of solids, liquids or gases into micron-size particles. The size of the particles enclosed in a microcapsule may vary over a wide range from 1 um to 6500 um, i.e. to the size of small pellets or capsules (6.5 mm). Microcapsules sized between 100 and 600 um are most commonly used in medical applications. Modern technologies enable the coating of particles of 100 nm or less in diameter. These coated particles are known as nanocapsules, and the process of their manufacturing is called nanoencapsulation.

Nanoencapsulation is achieved through a number of physical, chemical and physico-chemical techniques, primarily through the generation of polyelectrolyte complexes, liposomes, solvent evaporation, controlled precipitation, layer-by-layer coating, expansion of supercritical solution, etc.

The development of methods for attaching of targeted ligands to nanoparticles nanoparticles will facilitate the delivery of biologically active compounds to target tissues. Further development of this technology will make it possible to create new drugs with specific therapeutic action on targeted tissues and organs.

Authors

  • Naroditsky Boris S.
  • Nesterenko Lyudmila N.
  • Shirinsky Vladimir P.
  • Shlyakhtin Oleg A.

Source

  1. Nanostructured porous hollow ellipsoidal capsules of hydroxyapatite and calcium silicate: preparation and application in drug delivery // Journal of Materials Chemistry. Issue 23, 2008. - http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2008/JM/b800389k (reference date: 12.12.2011).