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Terahertz Spectroscopy: An investigation of the Structural Dynamics of Freeze-Dried Poly Lactic-co-glycolic Acid Microspheres

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Shmool, TA 
Hooper, PJ 
Kaminski, Gabi 
van der Walle, Christoper F 
Zeitler, Jochen 

Abstract

Biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres can be used to encapsulate peptide and offer a promising drug delivery vehicle. In this work we investigate the dynamics of PLGA microspheres prepared by freeze-drying and the molecular mobility at lower temperatures leading to the glass transition temperature, using temperature-variable terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) experiments. The microspheres were prepared using a water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) double emulsion technique and subsequent freeze-drying of the samples. Physical characterisation was performed by morphology measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and helium pycnometry. The THz-TDS data show two distinct transition processes, Tg,β in the range of 167−219K, associated with local motions, and Tg,α in the range of 313−330K associated with large-scale motions, for the microspheres examined. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements in the mid-infrared we were able to characterise the interactions between a model polypeptide, exendin-4, and the PLGA copolymer. We observe a relationship between the experimentally determined Tg,β and Tg,α and free volume and microsphere dynamics.

Description

Keywords

PLGA, drug delivery, formulation development, microspheres, molecular mobility, terahertz spectroscopy

Journal Title

Pharmaceutics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1999-4923
1999-4923

Volume Title

11

Publisher

MDPI AG
Sponsorship
EPSRC (1198)
Wellcome Trust (203249/Z/16/Z)
The authors acknowledge funding from AstraZeneca UK Limited (Medlmmune Limited) and the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/N022769/1). T.A.S. would like to thank the AJA-Karten Trust and the AIA-Kenneth Lindsay Trust for their financial support.
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