Hello,
I synthesize nanoparticles of PEG-PLA to encapsulate retinol. Once the nanoprecipitation process is completed, I would like to eliminate the unencapsulated active ingredient (retinol). In some publications, they use the dialysis against water. But, my compound (retinol) is not soluble in water. In others, they centrifuge and eliminate the supernatant (where unencapsulated retinol is supposed to be); but, I have difficulties to conceive it because retinol is not soluble in water (again!). My last solution would be to use a filter (0.45 μm) to filter my suspension of nanoparticles and hope that the unencapsulated and insoluble retinol in water, remains hooked on the filter.
What do you think? Is dialysis thinkable for this kind of problem?
If I use filter filtration, what type of filter can I use with this type of nanoparticles (GHP, Cellulose acetate, PES)?
Regards,
Louise Van Gheluwe
First of all the emulsifying agent that you are using could increase retinol solubility in water. Second of all if you are running nanoprecipitation then you have a water miscible solvent that can also dissolve retinol. Anyway run centrifugation-resuspension and see that no precipitate forms after changing the solvent to pure water or buffer.
If you can identify a solvent in which retinol is soluble but PEG-PLA nanoparticles are not soluble, you could do an organic extraction of the PEG-PLA+retinol suspension to remove unincorporated retinol. This wonderful solvent must also be immiscible with whatever the solvent is that was used to prepare the PEG-PLA-retinol nanoparticles.
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