Development of Microencapsulation Techniques
Abstract
Surfactant vesicles are small, spherical shell-like structures composed of bilayers of surfactant molecules which can be used to contain an aqueous solution. Since a variety of materials can be encapsulated in such vesicles, they are ideal vehicles for many different applications. The advantages of vesicle formulations involve protection from the environment, sustained release, and targeted delivery of vesicle contents. Such potential for phospholipid vesicles as chemical delivery systems, and possibly many other roles has motivated a significant effort towards improving their properties. The primary objectives for much of the current research in this area have therefore been to obtain enhanced membrane stability (mechanical and chemical) and decreased or controlled vesicle fusion and permeability. Major progress toward these ends has been made by the introduction of polymerizeable lipid analogues and to a lesser extent with the formation of polymer coated vesicles. Studies have been made of the effects of disulfide polymerization and the incorporation of cholesterol derivatives on the structure and properties (permeability, stability, and size) of phospholipid vesicles. Studies have been initiated on the interaction of polymers with liposomes. Keywords: Microencapsulation techniques, Membrane stability, Vesicle fusion, Permeability, Lipid analogues, Disulfide polymerization, Cholesterol derivatives, Chemical engineering, Materials, Capsules, Containers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223032
Entities
People
- John D. Baldeschwieler
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology