Generation of Photopolymerized Microparticles Based on PEGDA Hydrogel Using T-Junction Microfluidic Devices: Effect of the Flow Rates.

The formation of microparticles (MPs) of biocompatible and biodegradable hydrogels such as polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) utilizing microfluidic devices is an attractive option for entrapment and encapsulation of active principles and microorganisms. Our research group has presented in previous studies a formulation to produce these hydrogels with adequate physical and mechanical characteristics for their use in the formation of MPs. In this work, hydrogel MPs are formed based on PEGDA using a microfluidic device with a T-junction design, and the MPs become hydrogel through a system of photopolymerization. The diameters of the MPs are evaluated as a function of the hydrodynamic condition flow rates of the continuous (Qc) and disperse (Qd) phases, measured by optical microscopy, and characterized through scanning electron microscopy. As a result, the following behavior is found: the diameter is inversely proportional to the increase in flow in the continuous phase (Qc), and it has a significant statistical effect that is greater than that in the flow of the disperse phase (Qd). While the diameter of the MPs is proportional to Qd, it does not have a significant statistical effect on the intervals of flow studied. Additionally, the MPs' polydispersity index (PDI) was measured for each experimental hydrodynamic condition, and all values were smaller than 0.05, indicating high homogeneity in the MPs. The microparticles have the potential to entrap pharmaceuticals and microorganisms, with possible pharmacological and bioremediation applications.

Water dispersible cross-linked magnetic chitosan beads for increasing the antimicrobial efficiency of aminoglycoside antibiotics.

The aim of this study was to obtain a nano-active system to improve antibiotic activity of certain drugs by controlling their release. Magnetic composite nanomaterials based on magnetite core and cross-linked chitosan shell were synthesized via the co-precipitation method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), infrared microscopy (IRM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The prepared magnetic composite nanomaterials exhibit a significant potentiating effect on the activity of two cationic (kanamycin and neomycin) drugs, reducing the amount of antibiotics necessary for the antimicrobial effect. The increase in the antimicrobial activity was explained by the fact that the obtained nanosystems provide higher surface area to volume ratio, resulting into higher surface charge density thus increasing affinity to microbial cell and also by controlling their release. In addition to the nano-effect, the positive zeta potential of the synthesized magnetite/cross-linked chitosan core/shell magnetic nanoparticles allows for a more favorable interaction with the usually negatively charged cell wall of bacteria. The novelty of the present contribution is just the revealing of this synergistic effect exhibited by the synthesized water dispersible magnetic nanocomposites on the activity of different antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The results obtained in this study recommend these magnetic water dispersible nanocomposite materials for applications in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.