Synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNP): effect of CH-CH-TPP ratio on size and stability of NPs

• Autores: Des Bouillons Gamboa, Rosvin E.; Montes de Oca, Gabriela; Baudrit, Jose Roberto Vega; Ríos Duarte, Liz Carolina; Lopretti, Mary; Rentería Urquiza, Maite; Zúñiga Umaña, Juan Miguel; Barreiro, Filomena; Vazquez, Patricia Graciela
• Año de publicación: 2024
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: chitosan; antibiotic resistance,; nanoparticles; AFM, DLS, TEM
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

In the face of a pressing global issue-the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance-the development of new antimicrobial agents is urgent. Nanotechnology, with its innovative approach, emerges as a promising solution to enhance the efficacy of these agents and combat the challenge of microbial resistance. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) stand out in biomedical applications, particularly in the controlled release of antibiotics, with their unique properties such as biocompatibility, stability, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and simple synthesis processes suitable for sensitive molecules. This study synthesized CSNPs using the ionotropic gelation method, with tripolyphosphate (TPP) as the crosslinking agent. Various CS: TPP ratios (6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1) were tested, and the resulting nanoparticles were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The CS: TPP ratio of 4:1, with an average hydrodynamic diameter (DHP) of (195 ± 10) nm and a zeta potential of (51 ± 1) mV, was identified as the most suitable for further analysis. The characterization of NPs by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed diameters of (65 ± 14) nm and (102 ± 18) nm, respectively. Notably, CSNPs exhibited significant aggregation during centrifugation and lyophilization, leading to diameter increases of up to 285% as measured by AFM. The antibacterial activity of CSNPs against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was assessed using the resazurin assay. It was found that CSNPs not subjected to centrifugation, freezing, and lyophilization retained their antimicrobial activity. In contrast, those that underwent these processes lost their efficacy, likely due to aggregation and destabilization of the system. This study presents a straightforward and effective protocol for encapsulating sensitive active agents and synthesizing chitosan nanoparticles, a potential system with significant implications in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Fil: Des Bouillons Gamboa, Rosvin E.. Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnología; Costa Rica. Tecnológico de Costa Rica; Costa Rica
Fil: Montes de Oca, Gabriela. Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnología; Costa Rica
Fil: Baudrit, Jose Roberto Vega. Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnología; Costa Rica
Fil: Ríos Duarte, Liz Carolina. Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion.; Paraguay
Fil: Lopretti, Mary. Universidad de la República; Uruguay
Fil: Rentería Urquiza, Maite. Universidad de Guadalajara; México
Fil: Zúñiga Umaña, Juan Miguel. Universidad de Guadalajara; México
Fil: Barreiro, Filomena. Instituto Politécnico de Bragança.; Portugal
Fil: Vazquez, Patricia Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; Argentina