Preparation and application in drug storage and delivery of agarose nanoparticles

Abstract

In this work, monodisperse agarose gel nanoparticles were prepared using a W/O microemulsion as a template to control the size of the obtained particles. The combination of this template method with a temperature-induced gelling and a solvent exchange methodology has allowed preparing stable aqueous dispersions of monodisperse agarose gel nanoparticles in water. The average size, measured as an apparent hydrodynamic diameter, of the obtained particles was around 150 nm. The ability of the obtained hydrogel particles for the encapsulation and release of a synthetic insecticide (azamethiphos) was tested. The results evidence that the insecticide molecules encapsulated in the fabricated nanoparticles are released following a diffusion-controlled mechanism. These results combined with the biodegradability of the agarose provide the bases for the design of a new vector with application in the control of parasites in water reservoirs.