Amphiphilic polymers act as surfactants for oil-in-water emulsions. There is no doubt that emulsions promise a better means of delivery as far as rate and quantity are concerned, but the key to controlling these factors lies in the polymeric surfactant holding the emulsion together. Currently, release of medications in vivo is an uncontrolled and unsustainable process. Nanocapsules containing drug are potential means of drug delivery that can be moderated with the use of biocompatible oils dispersed as tiny droplets in water. The goal of this project was to continue past research using polysaccharide as surfactants in emulsions intended for drug delivery. The most stable emulsions were obtained using 10 grams per liter of hydrophobically modified dextran (DexP) and Miglyol (triglyceride) oil. This emulsion also offered gradual, regular drug release rates and resisted aggregation after lyophilization. Research was performed in collaboration with WPI and ENSIC.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Manawanitjarern, Wicharn
• Rogers, Sarah Marie

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 04D161M

Advisor

• McGimpsey, W. Grant
• Camesano, Terri Anne

Year

• 2004

Date created

• 2004-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-10-11