Ion permeable microcapsules for the release of biologically available ions for remineralization.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chemical structure, ion concentration, and ion type on the release rate of biologically available ions useful for remineralization from microcapsules with ion permeable membranes. A heterogeneous polymerization technique was utilized to prepare microcapsules containing either an aqueous solution of K₂HPO₄, Ca(NO₃)₂, or NaF. Six different polyurethane-based microcapsule shells were prepared and characterized based on ethylene glycol, butanediol, hexanediol, octanediol, triethylene glycol, and bisphenol A structural units. Ion release profiles were measured as a function of initial ion concentration within the microcapsule, ion type, and microcapsule chemical structure. The rate of ion release increased with initial concentration of ion stored in the microcapsule over a range of 0.5-3.0M. The monomer used in the synthesis of the membrane had a significant effect on ion release rates at 3.0 M salt concentration. At 1.0 M, the ethylene glycol released ions significantly faster than the hexanediol-, octanediol-, and butanediol-based microcapsules. Ion release was fastest for fluoride and slowest for phosphate for the salts used in this study. It was concluded that the microcapsules are capable of releasing calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions in their biologically available form.