Method for Nanoencapsulation
First Claim
1. A method of encapsulation comprising:
- a) admixing a hydrophobic compound in an organic solvent to form a mixture;
b) admixing an anionic polyelectrolyte and a cationic polyelectrolyte with the mixture to form a suspension of encapsulated hydrophobic particles;
c) quiescently cooling the suspension so as to cause self-crosslinking of the encapsulated hydrophobic particles to form a capsular matrix.
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Abstract
Methods of nanoencapsulation are described herein. Embodiments of the method utilize the coacervation of a cationic polyelectrolyte with an anionic polyelectrolyte to form a novel capsular matrix. In particular, the novel methods may be used to encapsulate a suspension of a hydrophobic material such as a carotenoid. The disclosed methods do not require lengthy pH adjustments nor do they require the use of any toxic crosslinking agents. In one embodiment, a method of encapsulation comprises dispersing a hydrophobic compound in an organic solvent to form a solution. The method also comprises admixing an anionic polyelectrolyte and a cationic polyelectrolyte with the suspension to form a mixture. In addition, the method comprises quiescently cooling the mixture so as to cause self-crosslinking of a capsular matrix encapsulating the hydrophobic particles.
33 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of encapsulation comprising:
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a) admixing a hydrophobic compound in an organic solvent to form a mixture; b) admixing an anionic polyelectrolyte and a cationic polyelectrolyte with the mixture to form a suspension of encapsulated hydrophobic particles; c) quiescently cooling the suspension so as to cause self-crosslinking of the encapsulated hydrophobic particles to form a capsular matrix. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A capsular matrix comprising:
a self-crosslinked network of capsules encapsulating a plurality of hydrophobic particles, wherein each capsule comprises a cationic polyelectrolyte and an anionic polyelectrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
Specification