Electrospray technique for solid lipid-based particle production.

Background: Different preparation methods for the production of lipid micro- and nanoparticles as controlled release formulations have been widely developed. Novel techniques are attracting increasing attention for their preparation.

Method: The objective of the present investigation was to produce solid lipid-based micro-nanospheres using the electrohydrodynamic atomization (electrospraying) and to evaluate whether it is a suitable method to prepare drug-loaded particles.

Results: Narrowly dispersed spherical particles lower than 1 mum, easily internalized in cells, were obtained using stearic acid and ethylcellulose in a 4.5:0.5 (w/w) ratio. Tamoxifen, as model drug, was encapsulated with good entrapment efficiency. The in vitro release, after an initial burst effect, showed a prolonged drug release.

Conclusion: The electrospraying method might be proposed to prepare in a single-step monodisperse lipid-based micro- and nanoparticles in powder form for drug delivery.