Professional

Development Project
CGC002


Research Plan:
Fabrication of Biodegradable Polymer
Microparticles in Microfluidic Device





Done by: Andy Andrian Subir (B013700)
Due date: 15/02/2013
Supervisor: Dr Goran Vladisavljevic
Background
The technique of microencapsulation by solvent evaporation is widely applied in pharmaceutical industries to
obtain the controlled release of drug (Li, M., Poncelet, D., and Rouaud, O., 2008). Conventionally, the
generation of microparticles are done by emulsification of a polymeric solution in an aqueous continues phase
through stirring of two immiscible liquids. The drug substance is either dipersed or in solution in the
polymer/solvent system or is caputred in the dispersed phase of the emulsion (ODonnell, P., and McGinity, J.,
1997). Biodegradable polymer which is biocompatible to human body is used to entrap the drug in the
particles. The degradation of the particles will release the encapsulated drug slowly with specific release
profile which is crucial for deciding dosage frequency and drug targeting to specific location.
Purpose, Sigificance and Novelty
The purpose of this research is to study the release rate of encapsulated bioactive compounds; Lidocaine and
Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA).They are encapsulated by two-steps double emulsions process; sonification and
droplet generation in microfluidic device. The novelty of this experiment is using microfluidic device to
generate monodisperse droplets which encapsulate the bioactive compounds.
Objectives
The objectives of the experiment are:
To encapsulate BSA in concentration of 500ppm, 1000ppm and 1500ppm in water and study their
release rates in microcapsule with varying concentrations.
To encapsulate Lidocainein concentration of 1.25%(W/V), 2.5%(W/V), 5%(W/V) and 7.5%(W/V) in
water and study their release rates in microcapsule with varying concentrations.
Methodology and Work Plan
Two-steps double emulsion(W/O/W), process will be used for generating the microparticles. In the primary
stage, Dicholoromethane (DCM), Polyglycerolpolyricinoleate (PGPR), and polycaprolactone (PCL) will be in the
oil phase and bioactive compounds with water; water phase, will be sonified to form W
1
/O emulsion. After
which, the W
1
/O prepared will be pumped into a microfluidic device for the formation of double emulsion
droplets. The microfluidic device consists of a round glass capillary tube enclosed within an outer square tube;
the round tube will be tapered at the end. Droplets will be formed at the orifice opening at tempered end by
hydrodynamic flow focusing when two fluids; W
1
/O emulsion fluid (disperse phase) and 5% Polyvinyl alcohol
(PVA)in water (continuous phase) are pumped at opposite directions into the square tube. The droplets
generation process will be monitored in real time and recorded using a high speed video camera. Videos will
be created from the still images captured at a speed of 4000 frames per second using ImageJ software. The
droplets with PVA solution will be collected in a vial containing water which will form the double W
1
/O/W
2

emulsion. It is then let to evaporate for microparticles to be formed. At a regular time interval, in vitro analysis
will be carried out on the release rate of encapsulated bioactive compounds using high performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC).
Impact and Beneficiaries
The proposed research will produce a specific release profile of Lidocaine and BSA when using PCL as
encapsulation material. The results of this experiment will benefit both academic and industrial sectors.
Academically, the results are able to be used for future research of microencapsulation of drug using
microfluidic device. Pharmaceutical companies can use the results to develop drugs which will improve
therapeutic effect, reduce dosing frequency, more convenience and acceptance for patients, and drug
targeting to specific locations resulting in a higher efficiency.
References
Li, M., Poncelet, D., and Rouaud, O., (2008). Microencapsulation by solvent evaporation: State of the art for
process engineering approaches. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 363, 26-39.
McGinity, J., and ODonnell, P., (1997). Preparation of microspheres by the solvent evaporation technique.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 28, 25-42.

Training
Research Plan
Shadowing
Interim report
Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices & running experimental
Study of Release Rate
Literature Reading
Technical Report
Project Title: Fabrication of biodegrdable polymer microparticles in microfluidic device

Days

Tasks

Start Date Duration End date
Training

11-Feb 11 22-Feb
Research Plan

11-Feb 3 14-Feb
Shadowing

11-Feb 39 22-Mar
Interim report

01-Apr 13 14-Apr
Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices& running experimental 22-Mar 70 31-May
Study of Release Rate

22-Mar 70 31-May
Literature Reading

11-Feb 116 07-Jun
Technical Report

04-Mar 101 13-Jun