Synthesis and characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate- co -hydroxyvalerate nanoparticles for encapsulation of quercetin

Polyhydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate has been identified as a useful polymer for biomedical application due to its biocompatibility and processability. Polyhydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate nanoparticles loaded with quercetin, an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral polyphenol with limited solubility, were obtained using a high-speed double-emulsion technique. The nanoparticle size and the dissolution of quercetin were controlled simultaneously through high-speed stirring (15,000 r/min) in the emulsification process. The size range of quercetin-loaded polyhydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate nanoparticles was between 250 and 650 nm. Spherical shape with no aggregation of nanoparticles was confirmed by electron microscopy. Loaded nanoparticles showed less thermal degradation than unloaded nanoparticles. An encapsulation efficiency of 51% was found. Most of the quercetin was released from the nanoparticles within the first 5 h of water immersion. A biocompatibility analysis of the nanoparticles showed no cytotoxicity and no significant difference between loaded and unloaded nanoparticles.