Development of Nanocolloidosome Based Formulations and Characterization

Microencapsulation, 30 year old field is still growing with development of new materials and active ingredient. Encapsulation is an imperative technology used to deliver the component to targeted site in an intact manner with no effect from surrounding environment. Colloidosome a novel class of microcapsule generated from the concept Pickering emulsion which is used for production of microcapsule by fixing the particle assembly at interface. Colloidosomes are hollow spherical capsule developed from controlled self-assembly of colloidal particles on emulsion droplets which reduces total interfacial energy and stabilize the structure. In this droplet act as templates for self-assembly of colloidal particles which develops stable form as per their shapes, surface properties, mass and electrical charge. Different types of emulsions are used to develop the various colloidosomes such as aqueous colloidosomes, hairy colloidosomes, nanoparticle colloidosomes, layer by layer colloidosomes and non-spherical colloidosomes. Structural characterization exhibited that the colloidosomes are most stable structure and intrinsic porosity of colloidosomes can be used for controlled and targeted drug delivery. Study of packing of particle and 3D image revealed the presence of hexagonal and pentagonal patch like soccer ball and C60 fullerenes on the surface of colloidosomes which gives stability without collapsing the structure. Increase in concentration of small particle increases attraction between the colloidosome that causes flocculation. Stability of colloidosomes affected by time required for saturation of large particle. Applications of colloidosomes are mainly useful as encapsulating agent and in controlled drug delivery. Colloidosomes are also valuable in tumor therapy, antifungal, antimicrobial therapy and in DNA delivery. The flexibility in formulation of colloidosomes will be helpful in various applications in future.