Formation of monodisperse hierarchical lipid particles utilizing microfluidic droplets in a nonequilibrium state

Langmuir. 2015 Mar 3;31(8):2334-41. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b00043. Epub 2015 Feb 20.

Abstract

A new microfluidic process was used to generate unique micrometer-sized hierarchical lipid particles having spherical lipid-core and multilamellar-shell structures. The process includes three steps: (1) formation of monodisperse droplets in a nonequilibrium state at a microchannel confluence, using a phospholipid-containing water-soluble organic solvent as the dispersed phase and water as the continuous phase; (2) dissolution of the organic solvent of the droplet into the continuous phase and concentration of the lipid molecules; and (3) reconstitution of multilamellar lipid membranes and simultaneous formation of a lipid core. We demonstrated control of the lipid particle size by the process conditions and characterized the obtained particles by transmission electron microscopy and microbeam small-angle X-ray scattering analysis. In addition, we prepared various types of core-shell and core-core-shell particles incorporating hydrophobic/hydrophilic compounds, showing the applicability of the presented process to the production of drug-encapsulating lipid particles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques*
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties