Novel bioresorbable and bioeliminable surfactants for microsphere preparation

Purpose. The objective of this work is to prepare microspheres by the emulsion-solvent evaporation process using MPOE-PLA copolymers as the matrix material and/or the surfactant. This preparation was studied in order to avoid the use of PVA as the surfactant in the process. Methods. Two series of MPOE-PLA copolymers were synthesised. The first, with a long and constant length PLA chain (45,000 g.mol(-1)), was used as the matrix material, the second, with short PLA chains (less than or equal to 2,200 g.mol(-1)), and different HLB as the surfactant. Microspheres were prepared by the "simple" and "double" emulsion methods. The steric stabilization effect of the copolymers was investigated using confocal microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results, Confocal microscopy and XPS analysis showed that the microspheres prepared using MPOE5K-PLA0.5K as the surfactant and MPOE-PLA45K copolymers as the matrix material had an MPOE coating present at the microsphere surface. This hydrophilic layer ensures steric stabilization of the particles. Conclusions. MPOE-PLA copolymers can be used for the preparation of particles instead of PVA and their use can be extended whenever a biocompatible and bioeliminable surfactant is required for biological or medical applications.