Self-assembly studies and stability evaluation of branched-chain glycolipid nanoparticles / Syaidatul Atiqah Sazalee

Syaidatul Atiqah , Sazalee (2019) Self-assembly studies and stability evaluation of branched-chain glycolipid nanoparticles / Syaidatul Atiqah Sazalee. Masters thesis, University of Malaya.

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Abstract

Sugar-based surfactants are more prominent due to their nonionic and bio-based properties. Glycolipids such as alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) are amongst the most popular because they can be found in nature or synthesised from cheap natural resources. This research investigates the liquid crystalline and self-assembly properties of a branched-chain glycolipid namely 2-hexyldecyl-β(/α)-D-glucoside (αβ-Glu-OC10C6). The thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystalline phases were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarising microscope (OPM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). In dry conditions, -Glu-OC10C6 formed a columnar phase with a focal conic texture, while in a binary aqueous system, -Glu-OC10C6 formed inverse hexagonal dispersion called hexosome. The critical aggregation concentrations (CACs) for the branched-chain glycolipid and when it mixed with nonionic co-surfactants (Tween series: T20, T40, T60 and T80) were investigated by using surface tensiometer. The addition of co-surfactants to the glycolipid dispersions reduced the CAC value of -Glu-OC10C6, which further stabilised the system. The formation of mixed surfactants hexosomes was further investigated in terms of the particle size and morphology by using a particle sizer and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). By using light backscattering measurements for 24 h, the stability of the hexosomes was analysed to determine the destabilisation of the system vis-à-vis particle size variations and particle migration. Furthermore, hexosomes based on the hydrophobic surfactant; -Glu-OC10C6, could be insufficiently stabilised, due to the fact that hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the surfactant preventing the formation of a stable double layer, as previously reported. The stability of αβ-Glu-OC10C6 hexosomes were enhanced via the addition of co-surfactant Tween series, which also subsequently decrease particle sizes, thus increasing stability. Therefore, T80 is the most stable co-surfactant to the -Glu-OC10C6 hexosomes formation compared to other co-surfactant. The findings suggest the branched-chain glycolipid as a possible alternative to nonionic surfactant for drug carrier system applications in the near future.

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